Explore every episode of the podcast Parenting Teenagers Untangled

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	Title	Pub. Date	Duration
	Managing Anger: Parenting teens positively in The Wonder Room	08 Nov 2026	00:39:05
Ask Rachel anything This Wonder Room starts with my own parenting fail, involving granola, a sarcastic reply about Cheerios and an argument I really should have walked away from. If you’ve ever been rage-baited by your teen, you’re not alone. I’m joined by Katharine Radice, teacher, author and mother of teenage boys, to take on the messy reality of living with teenagers. We cover: Why some teens seem to pick fights, and why a row can feel like a release A listener’s message about her 14-year-old, who hit and kicked her when her phone was taken away: how to help teens catch anger before it explodes, why small things are worth a conversation before they become a row, and why we shouldn’t assume a child will turn out like a difficult relative How to talk about phones with an autistic teen or one with PDA who resists conversation, including listening without words, setting a timer and using language that doesn’t feel like a demand Our response to Dr Özgür Bolat’s ideas in The Reward Trap: where we agree on praise and motivation, and what you do when the homework still has to get done Why a task doesn’t have to be fun, it has to feel worth it, and how sitting alongside your teen can help more than stepping in What happens when teens work towards a dream and it doesn’t deliver, as Katharine sees with some of her Cambridge students You’ll come away with practical ways to handle anger, resistance and motivation, and a reminder to slow down, find the joy now and tell your teenager you enjoy their company. While I have your attention, I’ve got to tell you about this Vax carpet cleaner I bought. (I have absolutely no affiliation and make no money from this) I’ve been using it regularly because my dog hasn’t been well and has been using the indoors as a toilet. Honestly, it’s the most fantastic purchase that I wish I’d bought twenty years ago when my babies came along. It’s light, really simple to use, and even has a self-cleaning function. I went on Amazon to give it a five star review and saw that it’s discounted right now. Helpful old episodes: Anger management Parenting complex teens - Elaine Taylor-Klaus The Reward Trap Lazy to Motivated I’ve put the key tips in a PDF for my substack subscribers. Join here Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	How to Motivate Teens Without Bribes	04 Nov 2026	00:27:44
Ask Rachel anything What if the things we do to motivate our teenagers are doing the opposite? Most of us have done it. A tenner for a good exam result. An hour on the Xbox once the homework is done. A new phone if the grades come back right. It works, in the moment. But Dr Özgür Bolat thinks we are paying a much higher price than we realise. Özgür is an educational scientist with a master's from Harvard, a PhD from Cambridge and a visiting research post at MIT Sloan. He has advised Google, YouTube Kids and Unilever on child development. His book, The Reward Trap, draws on seven decades of research to show why gold stars, treats, praise and privileges so often backfire, and what to do instead. His interest is personal. He was the textbook high achiever: 56th out of a million students in Turkey's national exam, a perfect GPA at Harvard, a Cambridge doctorate. Then he came home, with everything going right, and felt anxious. He realised his happiness depended on outside approval. He had to keep succeeding to feel OK. And when he asked himself why, the answer led back to how he was parented. For a full explanation of the points made in the podcast click here Dr Özgür Bolat -The Reward Trap Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	How parents can help their child launch in the world. The Wonder Room	01 Nov 2026	00:34:56
Ask Rachel anything When your child is 12 and struggling, people might rally round. When they’re 19 and stuck in their bedroom, it can feel lonelier, and often more shameful, than it should. This week in the Wonder Room, I’m joined again by teacher, author and mother of two Katharine Radice to unpick my conversation with family therapist Thomas Miller on young adults who fail to launch. We talk about why “get a good job” is a brittle value and “value hard work” is a durable one, and why that difference matters so much. We get into the difference between pressure and urgency, why no job is beneath anyone starting out, and how the sheer volume of AI-written applications are making genuine, human ones, stand out. We also share three simple questions that help teens and young adults notice what’s doing them good, who they can learn from, and how to build their own network. If you’re worried about a young adult who seems stuck, this one’s for you. Situated by Angela Duckworth The Disengaged Teen by Jennie Anderson and Dr Rebecca Winthrop Thank You for Being Late, by Thomas Friedman Episodes: How part time jobs still make a massive difference Using mentors to change your life with Mitchell Osmond Failing to Launch with Thomas Miller Sleep/wake routine advice Ken Rabow Helping more complex kids with ADHD and other differences Elaine Taylor-Klaus Listen to my conversation with Thomas Miller and this Wonder Room with Katharine Radice on Teenagers Untangled. And if a friend is having a wobble about this right now, send it their way. Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Failing to Launch: Still at Home, NEET? Help Your Young Adult Move Forward	28 Oct 2026	00:34:20
Ask Rachel anything What can we do when our baby has technically reached adulthood, but they’re not working, they're drifting in and out of education, living at home with no obvious plan, or still relying on us for things we assumed they’d be managing by now? This week I’m joined by Thomas Miller, a family therapist who works with young adults and their parents on anxiety, addiction, neurodiversity and what’s often called “failure to launch.” You’ll hear: A simple test to tell the difference between a young adult who’s genuinely stalled and one who’s just taking a bit longer to find their feet Why the whole family, not just the young person, is the key to change Where support tips into enabling, and why high-achieving parents are especially prone to overfunctioning How rescuing our kids can rob them of their dignity, and how to give it back Why knowing your family’s values gives you a way to talk about what’s going wrong Practical conversation techniques you can start using with younger teens now, to prevent problems later Whether your child is 13 or 23, this one is about the bigger goal behind all our parenting: raising someone who can manage a life without us. Find Thomas at Four Peaks Parents, where there’s a free workbook to help you assess where your young adult is. Join my supportive community and get all the tips on how to tackle this situation by clicking here Thomas Miller Other episodes that come at this from different angles: Dr David Yeager with brilliant tools and deep understanding of how to motivate a young adult (he defines this anywhere beyond the age of 10!)) Ken Rabow giving very specific, practical ways of focusing on helping a young adult move forward Elaine Taylor-Klaus on parenting more complex teens or tweens with ADHD autism or other differences An old conversation with Susie from 2025 about the rising number of NEETS and how we parents can best support our kids. My very first episode in which I talked about our parenting toolbox and how to delve into it to see what’s already there. Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Calm Down, Repair Conflict, and Reconnect: The Wonder Room	25 Oct 2026	00:38:27
Ask Rachel anything I've really needed a reminder of how emotional regulation works, and how to see the best in everyone, over the past three weeks. I think Dr Jody gave us the best talk on this and I loved her so much that it was a joy to have the chance to discuss her ideas with Katharine Radice. I don't know about you but it's one of my favourite topics because it comes up all of the time when we're parenting teenagers and I need regular reminders to be kind to myself just as much as I need to be kind to my kids. Here's a summary of what we discuss in this Wonder Room episode: Rachel and Katharine revisit Dr. Jody’s advice, including “walk them home,” “get eyes,” and “tell me more.” We discuss the idea that even attuned parents get it right only some of the time, the number that comes up is 30%! That means we only need to get it right 30% of the time to be one of the best parents. Obviously, that makes repair one of the most important parenting skills. A simple pause to make hot chocolate can prevent conflict from escalating. Modeling repair Parents can acknowledge when they have lost their temper and apologize, because it shows children how relationships recover. Naming personal patterns and signs of stress can help families support one another without making children responsible for adult emotions. Repair between adults should be visible to children when possible, so they do not assume conflict is unresolved or their fault. Teen independence and listening Parents need to adjust their support as children mature, balancing practical help with respect for their choices and agency. Listening and asking for more information can make space for children to express difficult feelings without requiring parents to have immediate answers. Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	What Our Teens Need Most From Us Parents	21 Oct 2026	00:50:14
Ask Rachel anything This episode will change how you see “bad behaviour” and might just change how you see yourself, too. In this powerful conversation, with Dr Jody Carrington, we unpack what every parent and teacher needs to know about emotional regulation – and why you’re probably doing better than you think. It fits perfectly with the lessons I've been learning as the mother of a badly injured daughter who needs me to stay strong while she gets back on her feet. You can read all about it by clicking here In this episode, we cover: What emotional regulation really is The “flipped lid” model and the role of the prefrontal cortex Why kids don’t “lose their goodness” – they just lose access to it Why your regulation matters more than any parenting hack “If the big people aren’t okay, the little people don’t stand a chance” How our phones, watches and constant comparison are quietly dysregulating us Behavior, consequences and connection Why a strict rewards-and-punishments model backfires The shift from “What’s wrong with this child?” to “What happened to this child?” Repair: the real superpower in families and classrooms Why the best predictor of lasting relationships is the capacity to repair How to apologise to your child (and your partner) in ways that actually heal Practical tools you can use today The phrases “Tell me more” and “What’s the hardest part?” The “collect before you direct” principle Everyday connection habits: eyes, car rides, bedtime, food, and shared interests Hope for worried, exhausted parents Why kids should be “worst” with you (and why that’s a good sign) The 30% rule that lets you drop the perfectionism and keep going. Dr Jody Carrington: https://www.drjodycarrington.com Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Applying expert parenting advice in real life: Talking to Teachers, and Bullying	14 Oct 2026	00:42:17
Ask Rachel anything Who doesn't want a simple answer to their problems? In all honesty I often hope to find one, but it's not really feasible when parenting teenagers. I love talking with experts who give us terrific advice - such as Dr Naomi Fisher and Dr Dominique Thompson - but when it comes to the messy job of parenting it can feel way more complicated in day to day life than we would hope. In this conversation Katherine Radice and Rachel Richards discuss the messy realities; from school being unbearable for our teen to when a group chat turns into a pile-on. We share practical ways to listen without panicking, work with schools, and help young people slow down, make mistakes, and grow. School refusal and taking a pause — Understand why listening to your teenager matters, how to weigh school milestones against their wellbeing, and how to explore alternatives without closing the door on returning. Making parent–school meetings more productive — Learn how sharing key information ahead of time and approaching staff collaboratively can help you understand what support the school can realistically offer. Recognizing when a difficult patch needs action — Spot signs that a problem may be affecting your child more deeply, such as withdrawal or changes in their health, and see why keeping a factual log can help identify patterns. Handling group chats, online conflict, and cancel culture — Get ideas for helping teens pause before replying, avoid escalating online drama, and disagree with someone’s views without attacking their identity. Building resilience through mistakes, shame, and changing views — Explore ways to model openness about difficult feelings, help teens see how they’ve grown, and encourage curiosity and understanding across differences. Episode on bullying teens Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	The Hot Water Bottle Warning Every Parent Needs	11 Oct 2026	00:06:21
Ask Rachel anything Just over a week ago, my daughter was badly burned when her hot water bottle split along the seam. She needed specialist care at the Queen Victoria Hospital burns unit which became famous for Archibald McIndoe’s work treating badly burned WWII airmen. Instead of going back to university, she spent her 20th birthday recovering at home, unable to walk. In this community catch-up episode I’ll tell you what happened, what we learned about treating burns, and what I want you to do tonight: If someone gets burned, cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes, cover it loosely with cling film, and get medical help. Check your hot water bottle for the daisy wheel symbol. It shows the month and year it was made. If it’s more than two years old, throw it out. Never fill it with boiling water. Let the kettle stand for a few minutes, fill it only two-thirds full, and squeeze out the air before you seal it. Consider a wheat or rice bag instead. I’m also campaigning for every hot water bottle sold in the UK to carry clear warnings and a “throw out by” date. CHILDREN'S BURNS TRUST: https://cbtrust.org.uk/ QUEEN VICTORIA HOSPITAL: https://www.qvh.nhs.uk/ ADULT BURNS SUPPORT: https://adultburnsupportuk.org/ BRITISH BURN ASSOCIATION: https://www.britishburnassociation.org/ Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	School Refusal, EBSA, and Teen Burnout: The Parent's Guide with Dr Naomi Fisher	07 Oct 2026	00:52:16
Ask Rachel anything What’s behind a teenager’s struggle to get to school—and how can parents help without turning every morning into a battle? In this episode, journalist and host Rachel Richards talks with clinical psychologist Dr. Naomi Fisher, author of The Teenagers’ Guide to Taking Control of Your Education, about school avoidance, burnout, demand avoidance, and the questions parents often have about autism and ADHD. Drawing on her own experience of struggling at school and decades of work with young people and families, Naomi challenges us to look beyond labels and ask what a teen is experiencing, what support they need, and how parents can work alongside them. They also explore the importance of connection, curiosity, and making room for young people to take an active role in their learning. In this episode, you’ll learn: What may be behind school avoidance—and how to look for specific school-day stressors rather than assuming a child is simply refusing. How to work with your teen, not against them, while still acknowledging that education needs to happen. What burnout can look like and why stepping back may help some teenagers recover. How to think about demand avoidance and autism or ADHD diagnoses without letting labels replace curiosity about what a young person needs. Why following a teen’s interests and repairing your connection matter—especially when school has become a source of conflict. For more detailed notes and help on this go to my Fearless Parenting Substack Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Cancel Culture: Helping Your Teen Handle Disagreement and Exclusion	30 Sep 2026	00:32:10
Ask Rachel anything Has your teenager come home upset because their friends have suddenly turned against them? Or have you heard that your child is part of a group chat where everyone is being urged to stop talking to someone? When a friendship conflict spreads through a whole group—and onto social media—it can be hard for parents to know what to say, when to step in, and how to help without making things worse. In this episode of Teenagers Untangled, I’m joined by Dr Dominique Thompson, a physician and expert in supporting young people, to explore why teenagers can be so quick to exclude someone, and why it can feel so difficult to stand apart from the group. We talk about the role of peer pressure, black-and-white thinking and social media—and the difference between challenging hurtful behavior and shaming someone. If your child is being ostracized, you’ll hear how to support them, work with the school and help them find other sources of connection. And if you’re worried your teen might be joining in, we discuss how to start a conversation that encourages empathy without simply lecturing or blaming them. We’ll also share practical ways to make home a safe place for difficult conversations—and a simple question that might help a young person pause before they join a pile-on. If this piece has raised anything difficult for you or your child, Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123 (UK). If you want to read Rachel's expanded thoughts on this topic, click here Dr Dominique Thompson Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Are we parents too soft on our teens or too hard on ourselves? Weekend Wonder Room	27 Sep 2026	00:50:51
Ask Rachel anything It’s one thing hearing what experts think, but I’m always left wondering how their advice translates into the real life of a parent. If you’re wondering too then you’re going to love this chat between Katharine Radice and me. In it, we discuss what was said in my interviews with Dr Leonard Sax and Dr Tara Porter. Basically we cover the reality of setting healthy boundaries around gaming and phones, talking with teens about online risks, choosing supportive schools, mentors & building trust, confidence, and independence—without chasing perfection. Don’t forget to tell us what you think. What helped and what advice deserves to go in the bin? Links mentioned in the show: Rachel Richards website & Substack Katharine Radice website & Substack Dr. Tara Porter Dr. Leonard Sax Brendan Kwiatkowski Melanie Sanderson Malcolm Gladwell Eileen Gu Angela Duckworth Mitchell Osmond Dr. David Yaeger Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Motivating Boys in a World of Gaming, AI & Porn.	23 Sep 2026	01:00:05
Ask Rachel anything If your son seems apathetic, glued to gaming, or strangely unbothered by school, you are not alone, and you are not imagining it. I decided to create this discussion because I have been contacted by so many parents about the lacklustre attitudes they are seeing in their sons, looking for advice on what to do. Around the world, boys are falling behind academically, drifting socially, and retreating into screens. Meanwhile, girls are outstripping boys at school and university, and often hiding their own struggles under high achievement (a topic I recently covered both here with Dr Tara Porter and here with Dr Suzanne Garfinkle-Crowell.) In this episode, I talk to Dr Leonard Sax—family physician, psychologist, and author of Boys Adrift and Why Gender Matters—about why so many boys are losing motivation and the practical things parents can do about it, starting now. You’ll learn: What’s really going on with boys today and why we should all care, because this isn’t just a schooling issue; it’s a future-partner, future-father, future-society issue. How modern schooling can switch boys off. Gaming: when it’s harmless and when it’s stealing your son’s life, including clear, research-backed limits and rules you can put in place at home. ADHD or something else? The hidden role of sleep and screens. Masculinity, role models, and “good men” in a disrespectful culture. Porn, AI “girlfriends”, and the pull away from real relationships. Most importantly: how to pull your son back into real life. Dr Sax published his first version of this book twenty years ago and the issues it described; falling male achievement, rising screen immersion, AI companions, and collapsing couple relationships, are accelerating rather than levelling off. The habits and boundaries we choose while our sons are still at home may shape not just his grades, but his ability to form healthy relationships, be a good partner and father, and build a life he cares about in the real world. If you’re worried about an unmotivated, gaming-obsessed, or emotionally flat son, this conversation will give you clarity, language, and concrete steps you can start using today. Don’t forget to share this with anyone who is struggling with the issues or who might find it helpful. Link to my Substack where you can find all of the notes and a handy PDF cheat sheet for parenting Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Stressed Parenting Your Teen? Let's Reduce Perfectionism	16 Sep 2026	00:34:08
Ask Rachel anything Are you trying so hard to be a good parent that you might be doing too much for your tween or teen, and accidentally making life harder for both of you? In this episode of Parenting Teenagers Untangled, Rachel Richards talks with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Tara Porter about her new book "Good Enough" and why good enough parenting is actually the best kind of parenting. Drawing on more than 25 years working in adolescent mental health, Tara explains how so many teens—whatever their diagnosis—secretly feel they are not “enough”: not clever enough, organized enough, pretty enough, or successful enough. She links this to a wider achievement-obsessed culture, fueled by: An education system caught in a “grade arms race” Social media’s like-and-kudos economy The professionalization of parenting and the tsunami of advice aimed at parents Against this backdrop, Tara shares her three core principles of good enough parenting: A good enough attitude – Letting go of perfection, resisting the urge to optimize every aspect of your child’s life, and accepting that zigzags and setbacks are normal. Relationship-based parenting – Prioritizing connection over outcomes, being “like wallpaper” in the background: present, warm, and available without crowding them or trying to control everything. Firm and kind boundaries – Finding the balance between warmth and firmness (authoritative parenting), gradually letting go of authority through the teen years so that by adulthood, your child is guided by their own internal compass, not your rules. Rachel and Tara explore: Rescuing vs building resilience Two common struggle patterns in teens The perfectionist achiever The rebellious non-complier How to set boundaries that still protect the relationship Better conversations with teens Tara’s two key listening tools: Empathy – stepping into your teen’s perspective, so they feel genuinely understood. Curiosity – asking open questions rather than jumping in with solutions. Rachel adds the idea of “LUFU – Listen Until they Feel Understood”, and both discuss why advice rarely lands until a teen first feels deeply heard. Mental health labels vs hope and growth Rachel's personal blog on getting the balance right Dr Tara Porter Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	A Better Way for Parents to talk to Teens About Screen Time: Fear Less & Wonder More	13 Sep 2026	00:38:50
Ask Rachel anything We’re living through an age where it can feel like our teenagers’ entire lives are happening behind a screen we can’t see. Meanwhile mental health problems in teens are a rising problem that is being blamed on their devices. The instinctive response for many of us is to clamp down: ban certain apps, monitor every move, or take away devices altogether. But as Professor Candice Odgers put it so powerfully: “You can’t ban your way out of a mental health crisis. You have to build instead.” In this Wonder Room conversation Katharine Radice and I explore how parents can move beyond panic about phones and toward curious, constructive conversations that help teens feel safe enough to be honest. These are some of the core things we cover in this episode: Shifting focus from the phone to the child Phone use is often a symptom of underlying distress or needs, not the core problem. Moving from monitoring to understanding Hours and apps matter less than the quality of your teen’s relationship with their online world and how it makes them feel. Creating conditions for honesty instead of forcing lies Avoid loaded, judgmental questions and big emotional reactions that make teens hide or lie about what they’re doing online. Naming the role of algorithms and external forces Ask “What is the algorithm feeding you?” to shift some responsibility away from the teen and toward the tech design, making honest conversations safer. Scaffolding self-reflection and self-regulation Use curious questions (“Are you stuck?”, “Any surprises in your screen time?”) to help teens build lifelong skills in reviewing and adjusting their own digital habits. For my Fearless Parenting community members I have gathered the key ideas and given you practical questions you can use tonight with your teen. Katherine has a Substack full of help and ideas for parents of teenagers Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Banning Social Media Won't Work: How Parents Can Actually Help Teens	09 Sep 2026	00:41:11
Ask Rachel anything Are smartphones and social media really damaging our teenagers’ mental health – or are we looking in the wrong place? In this episode, Rachel Richards talks with Professor Candice Odgers, a leading expert on adolescent mental health in the digital age, to unpack what decades of research actually show about teens, tech and wellbeing. We explore why today’s teenagers are doing better than many headlines suggest, the real size of the link between phones, social media, anxiety and depression, and why offline risks are the biggest predictors of online problems. Candice explains how family stress, academic pressure, inequality, climate anxiety and adult mental health all play a powerful role in teen distress – and why focusing all our fear on phones can distract us from where we can genuinely make a difference. You’ll hear practical guidance on monitoring vs. connection, how to talk with teens about their online lives without pushing them away, what “ready for a phone” really means, and how social media affects girls and body image. If you feel overwhelmed by scary stories about screens, this conversation will help you move from panic to evidence‑based, compassionate parenting. Candice Odgers via her website or on Substack My substack: Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Nagging Your Teenager? We Parents Talk Family Routines, in the Wonder Room	06 Sep 2026	00:29:20
Ask Rachel anything As a teenager, I grew up in a home with almost no routines. No one talked about what needed to happen when, and I remember constantly thinking, “What am I supposed to do now?” Life felt like reinventing the wheel every day. I didn’t feel safe, and I felt a lot of energy went into trying to cope in the chaos. Now, as a parent and host of Teenagers Untangled, I’ve come to see routines not as dreary box‑ticking exercises, but as powerful tools for connection, calm, and joy. In this Wonder Room conversation, I sat down with teacher and parent Katharine Radice to explore how routines, habits, and rituals can serve our teenagers—and us. You can find all of the notes and recommendations made in this bonus episode by clicking here: Sign up for free emails to let you know when a new episode comes out www.teenagersuntangled.com Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	What Teen Girls are Really Saying and How Parents Can Help	02 Sep 2026	00:48:30
Ask Rachel anything If your teenage daughter says, “I have anxiety,” “my ADHD was out of control today,” or calls a friend “toxic,” it can feel both strangely sophisticated and oddly shallow at the same time. She has language. She has labels. But somehow, you’re still not sure what’s really going on inside her. In this episode with psychiatrist Dr Suzanne Garfinkel-Crowell, author of Girlhood Translated: Understanding Girls in the Age of Therapy Speak and Self-Diagnosis, we pulled back the curtain on what this language is doing for girls — and what it’s doing to them. I particularly loved Suzanne’s tip for us parents: ‘The biggest problem with therapy speak is when it’s a conversation stopper, because really, these words should be conversation starters.’ In the discussion she gives us parents ideas on how to move beyond the language our kids are using, and help them understand what’s really going on. This isn’t an “anti-diagnosis” conversation. It’s about understanding how the language of mental health, the DSM, and social media are shaping girlhood, and how we as parents can respond in a way that brings us closer instead of shutting our daughters down. Dr Suzanne Garfinkle-Crowell If you'd like written notes to remind you about the points in this episode, or you'd like to think more about it, come to my Substack Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Moving School: Help Your Child With Friends, Homework & the Big Transition	26 Aug 2026	00:47:40
Ask Rachel anything They're the oldest in their primary and suddenly our babies have to cope with being the youngest in their senior school. It's a big leap, and it comes just at the point when our kids are becoming much more aware of themselves and others with a big dollop of puberty-driven insecurity. It's easy to worry about them making friends, coping with their newfound indepenence; complicated timetables, different classrooms, homework, buses and remembering their passwords. Here to help us figure it all out is Katherine Radice, author of the Parents Guide to Exam Stress long time teacher and mum of two teenage boys. Just five of things we cover in the episode are: Realistic expectations for starting secondary school Why trying to make the “perfect” first day backfires Teaching kids that “lumps and bumps” are normal and part of adjustment Identity, uniform, and appearance How brands/clothes (e.g., specific shoes, jackets) are tied to teen identity and belonging When and why it’s worth listening and sometimes compromising on these wants Extracurricular activities and balance Benefits of clubs for confidence, community, and friendship-building The risks of over-scheduling and how to judge when it’s “too much” Emotional turbulence in the early weeks Tears, anger, door-slamming, and exhaustion as expected reactions How to respond with empathy, rituals of comfort, and not jumping into “fix-it” mode too fast. Communication: with teens and with school How to get teens talking: low-stakes questions, rituals, “super silence,” and active listening When to see something as a “blip” vs a real problem, and how to approach schools constructively Friendships: How to talk about making friends without turning it into too much of a big deal Hopefully, by the end of our discussion you'll have a much clearer idea of what you can do and also what you don't need to be doing to support your children through the turbulent teen school years. Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Teenagers, AI & Friendship: Is ChatGPT Changing How Our Kids Connect? Parenting Unpacked in the Wonder Room	23 Aug 2026	00:32:31
Ask Rachel anything Is AI changing the way teenagers understand friendship? Should we worry about teens turning to chatbots for advice and emotional support? And what can parents do to help their children build strong, real-world relationships? Welcome to a new Teenagers Untangled Community Catchup, where Rachel Richards is joined by teacher, author and mum of two teenagers Katherine Radice to talk through what's happening in the world of teenagers — from the news and the latest research to the problems parents are dealing with at home. This week, we start with GCSE results and teenage motivation. How should parents respond when results aren't what their teenager hoped for? Why does effort matter even when the grades aren't brilliant? And could constantly criticising schools actually make it harder for our teenagers to engage with the adults who are trying to help them? Then we turn to teenagers and AI. As AI chatbots become an increasingly normal part of young people's lives, we ask what happens when teenagers start using them not simply for homework or information, but for emotional advice and companionship. Unlike human friends, an AI chatbot is available whenever you want it. It doesn't need anything from you. It doesn't get tired, disagree in quite the same way or require the give-and-take that real relationships demand. But is that actually a problem? We discuss why disagreement and friction are important parts of healthy relationships, helping teenagers develop their identity, challenge their assumptions and learn how to live alongside people who don't always think exactly as they do. That leads us into teenage friendships: why teenagers can become so focused on finding a “best friend”, why friendships inevitably go through difficult patches, and how parents can help when a friend betrays a confidence, leaves their child out or hurts them. Rather than immediately deciding that the other teenager is a “bad person”, we discuss how friendship difficulties can become opportunities to learn about trust, forgiveness, apologies and understanding other people's perspectives. Finally, we look at something parents can easily overlook: our own friendships. Our teenagers are watching how we talk about other people, how we deal with disagreement and rejection, and whether friendship and community have a meaningful place in our adult lives. Sometimes one of the best ways to teach our teenagers how to build relationships is simply to let them see us doing it. A wide-ranging, practical conversation about teenagers and AI, ChatGPT, teenage friendships, GCSE results, school, parenting teenagers and helping young people build healthy real-world relationships. Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Teen Friendship Problems: How to Help Your Teen Make and Keep Friends	19 Aug 2026	00:40:56
Ask Rachel anything So many parents come to me saying 'My teen has no friends. What should I do?' and I can't help wondering if we are missing one of the most important ways to help them. Being good at friendships ourselves. Think about it. If we're not good at making and maintaining friends ourselves, who will our babies learn their friendship skills from? In this episode of Teenagers Untangled, I’m joined by author, broadcaster, and founder of The Friendship Lab, Sheridan Voysey, to unpack why 20–25% of adults now say they have no close friends, how that impacts our teens’ mental health, and what we can actually do about it. We explore the five stages of friendship, why busyness, smartphones, and constant mobility are eroding our connections, and the simple, intentional steps parents can take to help their tweens and teens build deep, lasting relationships. Whether your child is struggling to find “their people,” stuck on the surface with classmates, or hiding behind screens, this conversation will give you practical language, science-backed insight, and real-life ideas for modelling healthy friendships at home. If you care about your teen’s confidence, wellbeing, resilience, and sense of belonging, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Contact the Friendship Lab The Friendship Lab Course I create notes on every episode which you'll find on my Substack page Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Empty Nest Syndrome: How to Cope When Your Child Leaves Home Vintage	12 Aug 2026	00:55:48
Ask Rachel anything What happens when the children we’ve poured our hearts, time, and energy into finally leave home? If you’re facing the prospect of a child heading off to university or moving out—and feeling anything from pride and excitement to grief, anxiety, or a loss of identity—this episode is for you. First, I revisit a powerful conversation with mindfulness coach Susie Asli, where we unpack empty nest syndrome: why feelings of grief, loneliness, or even physical symptoms like sleeplessness and nausea are a normal response, how your identity as a parent can feel shaken when your child leaves, and practical ways to prepare yourself emotionally, rebuild routines, and reconnect—with yourself, with your partner, and with your wider life. Then I speak with Hannah Bankier, a coach specialising in personal and professional transitions and founder of Birdie Launcher. Hannah invites us to rethink the very idea of an “empty nest” and instead see this stage as a launchpad—for our children and for ourselves. She shares: how to start preparing years before your child leaves, how to evolve your parenting from “controller” to “mentor,” how to co-create a new kind of relationship with your emerging adult, and how to rediscover your own purpose, joy, and identity beyond being “Mum.” You're not broken if you're feeling grief. You're ready to start a new chapter. Hannah Bankier All the tips from this episode Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Exam Results: What if my teen doesn't get the grades they want? Vintage	11 Aug 2026	00:35:41
Ask Rachel anything A listener parenting a teen son wrote to say both of them felt pretty stunned when he was rejected from the university he'd set his heart on. She asked for the best way to help our teenagers cope with this sort of disappointment. I thought it was a great question and a good opportunity to also look at how we parents can best navigate when our teen has worked for years toward a dream - a top university place, exam results, a team, a part - and it doesn’t happen. The disappointment can feel earth‑shattering for them and gut‑wrenching for you. In this episode I talk with Dr Dominique Thompson, award‑winning GP and young people’s mental health expert, about how to support teenagers through big disappointments such as university rejection, exam failure, and missed opportunities – without rescuing them or minimising their feelings. We explore: What teens are actually grieving when things go wrong – including the loss of an imagined future How to validate their emotions while gently stopping catastrophic thinking The difference between building resilience and teaching kids to suppress their feelings Why today’s culture of perfectionism and “being the best” is driving anxiety, burnout and fear of failure How to help teens separate self‑worth from grades, offers and achievements Practical ways to prepare teens for university life, academic stress and independence When dropping out isn’t the only option – how to press pause, get help and return stronger What to do if your teen feels “left behind” while friends move on to university or big opportunities How parents can be a “safe harbour”: supportive, boundaried, and not adding their own disappointment to their teen’s load If you’re a parent wondering how to respond when your child says, “I’ve failed you,” or “There’s no point trying,” this conversation will give you concrete language, mindset shifts and step‑by‑step strategies to help them cope, reframe, and find a new path forward. Dr Dominique Thompson: is a multi-award winning former GP, young people's mental health expert, TEDx speaker, author and educator, with over two decades of NHS clinical experience. She is author of The Student Wellbeing Series for young people, and co-author of How to Grow a Grown Up (PenguinRandomHouse) for parents. dominique.thompson@me.com www.buzzconsulting.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/drdomthompson/ https://www.facebook.com/drdomthompson/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-thompson/ Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Is Your Teen Ready for University? What Parents Need to Know INTERVIEW WITH MY TEEN	05 Aug 2026	00:54:43
Ask Rachel anything Sending your teen off to university can feel both exciting and terrifying. In this episode of Parenting Teenagers Untangled, I talk with my 19-year-old daughter Phoebe, home after her first year at Oxford University, about what parents really need to know to prepare their teens for university life. We cover the big worries parents Google most: how teens make friends in Freshers’ Week, coping with the academic workload, dealing with drinking, drugs and peer pressure, managing money and budgeting, handling homesickness and mental health, and how to balance independence with safety. If you’re wondering how to support your child’s transition to university without being overbearing—and how to trust them while still keeping them safe—this honest, practical conversation will give you clear guidance, real examples, and reassuring perspective from both a parent and a student. Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	How to Stop Yelling at Your Teen: Stay Calm, Set Boundaries & End Power Struggles	29 Jul 2026	00:31:48
Ask Rachel anything Are you tired of yelling at your teen – and hating yourself afterwards? In this episode of Teenagers Untangled, I talked with parenting and relationship coach Diane Sorensen about how to stay calm with teens, stop power struggles, and set healthy boundaries without becoming a pushover. If you’re dealing with eye-rolling, “disrespectful” attitudes, shouting matches, and constant tension at home, this conversation will help you: Understand why you get so triggered by your teen’s behavior Shift from controlling behavior to nurturing real connection Use simple emotional regulation tools to pause before you explode Tell the difference between calm parenting and permissive parenting Create healthy boundaries that reduce resentment and build trust Repair after you’ve shouted and show your teen that change is possible We talk about creating boundaries, unpack practical strategies like the PARR method (Pause, Acknowledge, Respond, Reflect), how to reframe “disrespect” as information, and why owning your triggers is the fastest way to transform your relationship with your teen. If you’ve ever thought, “I promised I wouldn’t parent like this, but I don’t know how to stop,” this episode is for you. Diane Sorensen Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Step-Parenting Teens: Why Connection Matters More Than Discipline	22 Jul 2026	00:42:08
Ask Rachel anything If you’ve ever fallen in love with someone who already has children, or tried to blend two families and thought, “Why is this so hard? What’s wrong with me?” – this episode is for you. You are not broken, and you are definitely not alone. I was joined by Masha Rusanov, coach, writer, and author of Repatterned. Together we unpack: Why step‑parenting can feel so emotionally different from parenting your biological children How to prioritise connection before correction with bonus kids The idea of “natural parenting” – why step‑parents shouldn’t be the main disciplinarians What healthy co‑parenting and emotional regulation look like when there are exes, new partners, and multiple households in the mix Practical, everyday strategies to reduce conflict and build trust over time Click here for all of the tips from the episode Whether you’re a step‑parent, a biological parent in a blended family, or you co‑parent across different homes, this conversation will help you feel seen, supported, and better equipped for the long game. Masha Rusanov Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Parenting Guilt: Bad Parenting Science, The Motherhood Myth & What Actually Matters	15 Jul 2026	00:28:51
Ask Rachel anything Are women naturally good at being mothers or is that a cultural myth? It matters because if we believe women are naturally good at it then they deserve no kudos for the work they do and when we do struggle it lays the blame firmly at our feet, rather than the society we live in. In this episode, I was joined by historian and postnatal practitioner Alex Bollen, author of Motherdom, to unpack the “good mother” myths shaping our culture—and our guilt. We challenge the idea that care is “natural,” reveal how shaky science and social media fuel certainty and shame, and show why there’s no single right way to raise teens. You’ll learn practical tools to lower pressure at home: the weekly myth check, the “misery test” for your to‑do list, stress reframes that build resilience, and village-building strategies that widen support for you and your child. Step away from perfection, toward curiosity and community—and parent your teen with more calm, confidence, and kindness. Read the episode write-up here Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	The vital parenting shift: becoming a mentor to your teen	08 Jul 2026	00:13:48
Ask Rachel anything Welcome to a special mini-series from Teenagers Untangled — seven simple, practical "parenting seeds" to plant over a week, preparing for when your child moves into secondary school or returns from summer. These are gentle shifts, not rules to perfect: They're designed to help you focus on what really matters, and reduce your stress. They'll help you to move from fixing problems to mentoring your child, build emotional safety at home, and give your teen the confidence to make good choices. These are the big picture things I wish I had known much earlier in the teen years. If you'd like an early release of this information and daily email reminders as the series unfolds, and more support, join me on Substack Seven seeds: Changing gears: be explicit about the shift in your parenting from monitoring to mentoring. Make home safe and predictable: create routines and anchors so home feels stable amid constant change. Catch them doing good: notice and praise strengths to build a positive identity and reduce fear of mistakes. Listen until they feel understood (LUFU): use super silence and active listening; summarise and ask before offering advice. Model what you want to see: especially with technology: demonstrate the habits you want your teen to adopt. Be curious about yourself: notice triggers, respond with curiosity not criticism, and model emotional regulation. Talk to your kids before others do: proactively discuss vaping, pornography, nudes, drugs, alcohol and groomers. Role-play responses so they’re prepared before they come under pressure. Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Reading Festival Advice From Teens: Vintage INTERVIEW WITH MY TEENS	01 Jul 2026	00:44:31
Ask Rachel anything Announcing my summer top tips series where I give you a short episode of tips organised around themes to help you focus on what you and your tween or teen needs to prepare you for the new school year. Make sure you’re following the show to ensure you don’t miss any and if you want to get them early and have the tips delivered weekly directly to you just click here Send me the free newsletter and enter our email address. You’ll get them straight to your mailbox. The tips start next week, in the meantime here’s a rerun of the Reading Festival episode because I’ve had so much amazing feedback on it: Music festivals are a rite of passage for many teens. Whilst some love the music, the lack of restriction and opportunities to mingle in a way that they could have only dreamt of during Covid, others decide to give them a miss or go and positively hate the experience. I was never a festival kid growing up. I didn't have the money, or the opportunity. As an adult, I've found them to be joyous events, but will always refuse to stay the night. My girls have now both been to one of the key UK festivals, Reading, so I thought you might be interested to hear more about what to expect if your kids are keen to go, how best to plan ahead, and what the key issues turned out to be. Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Teaching Teens About Money: Investing, Gambling & the Money Lessons Schools Miss	24 Jun 2026	00:28:48
Ask Rachel anything Seven in ten teenagers say they're very or extremely interested in investing. Not just curious, genuinely, actively interested. The problem is that most of us parents didn't become aware of investing until we were young adults or older, and half of parents say they wish they'd started sooner. That's a regret a lot of us are carrying around quietly, and without realising it, some of us are passing that same late start on to our kids. Teenagers today aren't waiting. They're already getting an education, just not necessarily the right one. They're watching creators on TikTok and YouTube who make it sound like picking the right crypto coin at the right moment is basically a personality trait. They're seeing posts about teens who turned a hundred pounds into ten thousand, and almost nothing about the ones who lost everything trying. It's exciting, it's fast, and it's completely untethered from the basics that actually build long-term wealth. That's why I invited Sonia Beardsmore, mum, former professional, institutional trader, and author of the book Raise a Mini Investor to talk to us about how we can discuss investing with our kids, how to start them young, and what a difference the deep financial literacy they can build while they're young and curious could really make in the long term. Sonia Beardsmore Previous episode about pocket money Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Teen Exam Stress: How to Help Without Nagging, Pressuring or Taking Over	17 Jun 2026	00:48:48
Ask Rachel anything Exam stress — are your teen’s exams quietly overwhelming them (and you)? In this episode of Teenagers Untangled I spoke with Katherine Radice, author of The Parent’s Guide to Exam Stress, to explore: * Why teens withdraw and how parental questions can shut down conversations about school * What makes exams uniquely stressful (risk, public outcomes, long timelines) * How parents can build calm, constructive conversations and listen so teens feel safe to share * Practical strategies: establishing effective work habits, rewarding effort vs. outcomes, scaffolding responsibility, and iterative trial-and-review methods for study * Handling struggles: when to improve school support vs. when to build strengths outside school (hobbies, status, resilience) * The “burden of praise” and how to praise in ways that empower rather than create anxiety * Managing parental anxiety: how to consult teens, stay reflective, and help them learn to cope with uncertainty and setbacks Why it’s vital to listen: Exams affect more than grades — they shape teens’ confidence, relationships, and long-term coping skills. This episode gives us evidence-based, compassionate tools to support teens without becoming the “revision police,” reduce household stress, and help young people develop resilience that lasts beyond exam results. Contact Katharine: https://katharineradice.co.uk/ Top tips from this episode: https://open.substack.com/pub/teenagersuntangled/p/the-biggest-cause-of-stress-for-teens?r=2u24i0&utm_medium=ios Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	How to Raise a Good Citizen: Teaching Teens Critical Thinking, Politics & Civic Responsibility	10 Jun 2026	00:28:26
Ask Rachel anything Who's teaching our teens how to be good citizens; someone who feels a part of society and enagages meaningfully in creating a world we all want to live in rather than someone who just buys stuff? In this episode I talked with Lindsey Cormack, political scientist and author of How to Raise a Citizen, about why we parents must see it as our job to raise capable, engaged citizens. With civics instruction waning in schools, Lindsey shares actionable strategies to turn everyday moments into lessons about government, community impact, and problem-solving. We discuss how to engage disinterested teens, navigate polarizing topics calmly, model curiosity over certainty, and making local politics tangible for the younger amongst us. The great thing about Lindsey's message is we don't need to know all about politics to get our kids involved, we just need to be prepared to discuss whats happening around us. Perfect for parents who want to boost critical thinking, civic responsibility, and respectful dialogue at home. Resources and printable prompts available at teenagersuntangled.subtack.com. Lindsey Cormack: https://howtoraiseacitizen.com/ https://constitutioncenter.org/ Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	What's a Good Parent? A Bonus Episode in Which I Ask My Own Teenager	08 Jun 2026	00:09:44
Ask Rachel anything In this bonus episode Amelia and I discussed how hard it is to get parenting right, focusing on the misconceptions of gentle parenting and the importance of setting high expectations with support. The full listen to the full episode and read all of my thoughts on it by clicking here. It doesn't cost you anything, it's just a better place for me to store it. We thought it would be really useful for you to hear us talking so that you can get ideas for how you can open up your own conversations at home. Amelia emphasizes the need for clear communication, boundaries, and understanding the root causes of a child's behavior. The conversation highlighted the significance of maintaining a healthy relationship, avoiding emotional responses, and fostering independence. Amelia suggests using reminders and sit-down conversations to address issues without punishment. Amelia also stressed the importance of addressing mental health concerns and being open to feedback to improve parenting skills. Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Why Teenage Boys Pull Away: The Crisis of Connection With Dr Niobe Way	03 Jun 2026	00:58:14
Ask Rachel anything What are we really telling boys about how to be a man? And why do so many teens seem to be struggling with how to be in the world, from masculinity to friendship, and mental health? In this conversation with Professor Niobe Way (NYU developmental psychologist, author of Deep Secrets and Rebels with a Cause), we dug into 40 years of research with adolescents. Her work is extraordinary because she has done something deceptively simple and radically powerful: She listened to teenagers carefully, over time, and took what they said seriously. What emerges is a completely different story about boys, friendship, and mental health than the one most of us have absorbed from culture, headlines, and even psychology textbooks. Professor Niobe Way Prof Niobe Way: LinkedIn My early episode in which I referenced Niobe's work Ideas covered in this episode Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Teen Gambling Is Surging: How Gaming & Loot Boxes Are Hooking Our Kids	01 Jun 2026	00:32:46
Ask Rachel anything There's been an alarming rise of teen gambling, according to Commonsense Media, with half of 16-17-year-old boys reporting gambling in the past year; surpassing alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana use. Commonsense media says 'we're at a pivotal moment for boys' well-being. We can either let gambling become normalized during a critical period of their development, or we can act now—with education, safeguards, and real accountability.' In this episode Dr. Chung highlights the role of gaming, particularly loot boxes and mystery boxes, in priming teen brains for gambling. She emphasizes the ease of access through mobile devices and the influence of social media and celebrity endorsements. For my full notes on the episode click this link Dr. Chung advises parents to set boundaries, engage in media literacy discussions and stay curious. She also stresses the importance of recognizing signs of addiction, such as secretive behavior and mood shifts, and the need for companies to be more accountable in protecting minors. Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Teen Brain Health: Screens, Dopamine, Junk Food & How to Raise a Thriving Teen	20 May 2026	00:43:46
Ask Rachel anything If you’ve ever looked at your teen glued to a screen, living on junk food, or melting down over “nothing” and thought, What am I doing wrong? — this episode will change how you see everything. In today’s fast-paced, often overwhelming world, understanding how to foster resilience, well-being, and cognitive development is key to raising thriving children Today's guest, Dr Katy Granville-Chapman, author of Growing Minds: The Science of Raising Thriving Teens”, gives us the evidence-based information we parents need to support our children's brain health. She explains: How big tech and junk food companies are hijacking your teen’s dopamine system Why your child actually wants to do well (and what keeps derailing them) Simple, science-backed ways to: Get buy-in on screen limits (without endless battles) Use identity-based habits so teens choose healthy behavior themselves Teach emotional regulation as a skill, not a personality trait Check your teen’s “body budget” (sleep, movement, food, connection) before assuming there’s a crisis Why kindness and contribution are secret superpowers for teen resilience And the one message every guilty, overwhelmed parent needs to hear: it’s never too late, and you’re doing better than you think. Listen now and learn how to move from nagging and panic… to mentoring your teen so they can truly flourish. Find the top tips here DISCOUNT CODE ON PRE-ORDERS OF KATY'S NEW BOOK: Click this link and use the code UNTANGLED25 Katy Granville-Chapman: Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Teenagers and Grief: How to Support Your Teen Through Death or Serious Illness: Vintage	13 May 2026	00:43:15
Ask Rachel anything Parenting tweens and teens is challenging enough, but when someone in the family becomes seriously ill or dies, it can feel overwhelmingly difficult. In all honesty, we Westerners are terrible at talking about death, often avoiding it, so when it comes to talking with teenagers about the subject most of us don't feel equipped. Many who have suffered a loss, or are suffering a serious illness will tell you that friends often fall away just at the time when they are most valued, because they're embarrassed or uncomfortable about the situation. In this episode we draw on research, personal experience - and some incredible listener feedback - to discuss how to deal with a serious illness or death when you're raising a teen. We pass on some amazing tips that have made all the difference, and also some awful 'what not to do's'. The episode is dedicated to the wonderful mum, Sophie Baker and her loving husband and boys, who did an amazing job in very difficult circumstances. Get the ToolKit Top Tips from this episode here BOOKS: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi The Bright Hour by Nina Riggs You Can Stop Humming Now by Daniela Lamas Being Mortal by Atul Gawande Smoke gets in your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty The Choice by Edith Eger Support for kids and young people who are bereaved: https://winstonswish.org/ https://hospiceofnorthidaho.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Supporting-a-Teen-When-Someone-is-Seriously-Ill.pdf https://www.hospiscare.co.uk/how-we-help/advice-support/children-and-young-people/how-to-talk-about-death-with-children-and-teenagers/https://thegoodgriefproject.co.uk/ https://yourteenmag.com/health/teenager-mental-health/how-to-talk-about-death https://whatsyourgrief.com/helping-a-teenager-deal-with-grief-2/ https://elunanetwork.org/resources/talking-to-teens-and-children-about-illness-and-death https://www.strong4life.com/en/emotional-wellness/emotional-expression/talking-to-kids-and-teens-about-death https://www.todaysparent.com/family/talking-about-death-with-kids/ https://www.winstonswish.org/support-a-grieving-teenager/ https://www.childbereavementuk.org/information-understanding-grieving-teenagers https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/two-takes-depression/201612/the-dos-and-donts-talking-child-about-death?amp https://audioboom.com/posts/6858679-talking-to-young-people-about-death-and-dying Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Is Your Teen Being Manipulated Online? Teaching Critical Thinking in the Age of AI	06 May 2026	00:52:04
Ask Rachel anything Our teenagers are growing up in a world saturated with information, outrage, and algorithms designed to keep them scrolling. As parents, it can feel overwhelming: How do we help our kids navigate AI, social media, fake news, and online manipulation—without either over-controlling them or throwing up our hands? In this episode, I talk to Dr Maree Davies, senior lecturer at the University of Auckland and author of Teaching Critical Thinking to Teenagers: How kids can be street smart about AI, algorithms, fake news and social media. Her work is all about making critical thinking accessible to all teenagers, not just the academically gifted. And crucially, she shows how these skills can actually reduce anxiety by giving teens a sense of control over the flood of information they face every day. We explore: What critical thinking really is (beyond the academic buzzword) and why the tween and early teen years (11–15) are such a powerful window for learning it How cognitive bias, schemas, and teenage brain development affect the way young people react to information—especially on social media Marie’s Street Smarts model for teaching critical thinking at home and in school, starting from a teen’s own story and perspective How to talk to teens about algorithms, AI, fake news, and influencers in a way that feels respectful, engaging, and non-preachy The role of relationships, respect, and status in adolescent life—and how we can use these realities to open up richer conversations Why modelling our own struggles (with phones, news, time management, etc.) is far more powerful than lecturing Practical question types and conversation prompts that help teens move from emotional reactions to thoughtful, reasoned views This is one of my favourite recent conversations and I’d love as many people as possible to hear it. These skills matter because our teenagers are being shaped—every day—by forces they often don’t fully understand. Critical thinking isn’t about turning them into cynics; it’s about giving them tools, language, and confidence to question, to evaluate, and, when necessary, to change their minds. It’s also about strengthening our own connection with them, so that they feel heard, respected, and equipped to take their place in the world as thoughtful, compassionate adults. Click here for my blog post and summary of the core skills Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Parenting Teens With an Angry or Critical Partner: How to Handle Conflict at Home	29 Apr 2026	00:33:06
Ask Rachel anything “My husband is highly critical of the teenagers, gets angry over little things and yells, so I’m having to make up for his behavior, and I often avoid involving him in parenting decisions." This message came into my Substack. It was a plaintiff request for support and a plea to know how others deal with the problem. When I posted it (with her permission), a flood of parents said, “This is my life too.” If you're dealing with high conflict in your home, whether with your teens or your partner, then this is the episode for you. Conflict navigation specialist, mediator, and divorce coach Masha Rusanov helps us to unpack what really sits behind high‑conflict dynamics at home—especially when one parent is emotionally dysregulated, highly critical, or reactive. She says: 'We don’t choose our conflicts. We repeat them. Until we change the pattern." Link to my write-up on the topic In our conversation we explore: Why we repeat the same painful conflict patterns (and how to start changing them) Masha’s simple but powerful Exhale–Explore–Engage framework you can use in the heat of the moment Practical scripts and tools (EAR and BIFF) for navigating a high‑conflict partner How to protect your children emotionally, set boundaries, and avoid parentifying them Ways to talk to your kids honestly about what’s happening—without overburdening them If you’ve ever found yourself “making up” for a partner’s behaviour, or trying to keep things calm so your teens feel safe, this conversation is for you. Masha Rusanov Repatterned Book REMINDER: Please don't stay in a situation that is potentially dangerous. This is the national domestic abuse helpline for the UK, but you will likely have one in your country if you're listening somewhere else. Spotting the signs Is your partner jealous and possessive? Is he charming one minute and abusive the next? Does he tell you what to wear, where to go, who to see? Does he constantly put you down? Does he play mind games and make you doubt your judgment? Does he control your money, or make sure you are dependent on him for everyday things? Does he pressure you to have sex when you don’t want to? Are you starting to walk on eggshells to avoid making him angry? Does he control your access to medicine, devices or care that you need? Does he monitor or track your movements or messages? Does he use anger and intimidation to frighten and control you? Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Is the Manosphere Teaching Your Son to Hate Women? How Parents Can Respond	22 Apr 2026	00:35:24
Ask Rachel anything “Is my son secretly being taught to hate women?” If you’ve ever heard your boy casually repeat a line from Andrew Tate… seen him disappear into his room with his phone… or wondered what on earth he’s absorbing on TikTok and YouTube, this episode is for you. The manosphere is grooming boys to believe women are the enemy—and most parents don’t even realise it’s happening. In this conversation, I’m joined by teacher and author of Unmasking the Manosphere, Matt Pinkett to unpack how these ideas hook our sons, how they show up at home and in school, and—most importantly—how you can respond without shutting your boy down or pushing him further into that world. Toolkit: Checklist of How to Talk to Your Boys Matt Pinkett Conflict resolution skills Looksmaxxing Original Manosphere episode Talking to your teen about pornography The expert on talking about pornography Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	From 'lazy' to motivated an INTERVIEW WITH MY TEEN	15 Apr 2026	00:35:03
Ask Rachel anything It's exam season and so important to keep a steady ship with all of the stress in the house. I thought it would be a great time to interrupt my youngest, Amelia, for an honest chat about what she sees as both good and bad strategies for supporting teenagers through exams, and homework; particularly those with dyslexia and ADHD. We wanted to give parents hope, an honest insight into how bumpy the road can become, and how long it can take to figure out what the best way of supporting your teen will be. Over the past six months at her new college, Amelia has really found her feet and feels motivated to work very hard. This is helped enormously by feeling she matters to friends, loving the college she is at, and receiving proper ADHD support and intervention. She shares her previous struggles with homework and motivation, attributing it to a lack of emphasis on academics and being placed in less academically focused classes, but also made clear how important it is to take time to understand underlying issues rather than assuming laziness. Amelia advises against nagging, focusing on long-term goals, and providing structure without micromanaging. Listen to the end to hear Amelia's important, very spontaneous, message for all parents listening to this podcast. As usual, my girls prefer not to be on camera, so this is an audio-only episode. Read my thoughts about our discussion here Get the toolkit tips here OTHER EPISODES: Helping kids with exam nerves Tips for parenting through the pressure of exams Trust your kids Boys who’re apathetic about study and exams Why school exam systems need to change How anxiety works and what we can do Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	How to Connect With Your Teen: Stop Trying to Be the Perfect Parent	08 Apr 2026	00:23:56
Ask Rachel anything So many parents of teens quietly worry that they’re “failing” — not doing enough, not staying calm enough, not getting the outcomes they hoped for. This episode is an invitation to step off that perfectionist treadmill. Instead of parenting for perfect grades, perfect behavior, or perfect choices, we explore how to parent for connection: building daily rituals of togetherness, modeling honest self-care, and using compassionate self-talk so your teen can develop a kinder inner voice too. You’ll hear practical ways to show your child they’re loved for who they are, not what they achieve, and how that shift can transform the atmosphere in your home. Click here for a list of ways to connect that make all the difference Contact Ronnie Vehemente: Mood Advisor Ronnie is the founder of The Family Room www.familyroomla.com, a unique psychotherapy practice, focused on the challenges of parenting, marriage & family life. Ronnie has 30 years of experience counseling children, teens, new mothers, parents, couples and families. She graduated from Columbia University School of Social work. Ronnie is an advisor to Mood.org, bringing her deep understanding of teen psychology. The mission of Mood is to put free, fast, and effective mental health tools in the hands of EVERY tween and teen—building skills and resilience through content they want to engage with. Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Teen Dating, First Love & Heartbreak: What Parents Need to Know	01 Apr 2026	00:47:20
Ask Rachel anything When parenting teens through their first experience of love and attraction it can bring up a lot of feelings we thought we'd neatly packed away; the intensity of that first crush, the humiliation of not being chosen, the heartbreak that felt like it would swallow us whole. As a parent trying to support our kids through it can be tricky because our teens’ first love stories can collide with our own unfinished ones. In this episode of Teenagers Untangled, I’m joined by professor Lisa Phillips, author of First Love: Guiding Teens Through Relationships and Heartbreak. We explore the complex world of teen behavior surrounding first love and heartbreak. Understanding how our teens express their feelings and the challenges they face can really help us to communicate with them. We talk about: Why parents often feel a spike in distress when their teen starts dating How crushes, “situationships” and breakups affect the developing teenage brain The difference between healthy intensity and unhealthy enmeshment How to support both boys and girls in talking about their feelings, not just their “results” What it means to parent in a world of social media, online porn, nonchalance and loneliness How to show up for LGBTQ+ and questioning teens when their identities don’t fit the “straight story” Why consent can’t be a tick‑box talk, and how to navigate the grey areas with our kids What healthy support after a breakup actually looks and sounds like If your child is anywhere on the spectrum from secret crush to serious relationship, this conversation will help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface. My hope is that it gives you language, courage and compassion to walk alongside them, rather than dismissing it as “just drama” or trying to shut it all down. Because for our teens, first love isn’t practice. It’s real, it’s formative, and it leaves a lasting imprint. How we respond now can teach them not only how to survive their first heartbreak, but how to love and be loved for the rest of their lives. Previous interview with my own daughter, Phoebe Tips from this show Contact Lisa Phillips: lisaamyphillips@gmail.com Lisa A. Phillips, author of the new book, First Love: Guiding Teens through Relationships and Heartbreak, has written about relationships, mental health, and teens for the New York Times, the Washington Post, Longreads, Psychology Today, Cosmopolitan, Salon, and other outlets. She teaches journalism and the popular “Love and Heartbreak” seminar at the State University of New York at New Paltz. Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	When Your Teen’s Dream Falls Apart: Helping Them Cope With Failure & Rejection	25 Mar 2026	00:35:41
Ask Rachel anything A listener parenting a teen son wrote to say both of them felt pretty stunned when he was rejected from the university he'd set his heart on. She asked for the best way to help our teenagers cope with this sort of disappointment. I thought it was a great question and a good opportunity to also look at how we parents can best navigate when our teen has worked for years toward a dream - a top university place, exam results, a team, a part - and it doesn’t happen. The disappointment can feel earth‑shattering for them and gut‑wrenching for you. In this episode I talk with Dr Dominique Thompson, award‑winning GP and young people’s mental health expert, about how to support teenagers through big disappointments such as university rejection, exam failure, and missed opportunities – without rescuing them or minimising their feelings. We explore: What teens are actually grieving when things go wrong – including the loss of an imagined future How to validate their emotions while gently stopping catastrophic thinking The difference between building resilience and teaching kids to suppress their feelings Why today’s culture of perfectionism and “being the best” is driving anxiety, burnout and fear of failure How to help teens separate self‑worth from grades, offers and achievements Practical ways to prepare teens for university life, academic stress and independence When dropping out isn’t the only option – how to press pause, get help and return stronger What to do if your teen feels “left behind” while friends move on to university or big opportunities How parents can be a “safe harbour”: supportive, boundaried, and not adding their own disappointment to their teen’s load If you’re a parent wondering how to respond when your child says, “I’ve failed you,” or “There’s no point trying,” this conversation will give you concrete language, mindset shifts and step‑by‑step strategies to help them cope, reframe, and find a new path forward. Dr Dominique Thompson: is a multi-award winning former GP, young people's mental health expert, TEDx speaker, author and educator, with over two decades of NHS clinical experience. She is author of The Student Wellbeing Series for young people, and co-author of How to Grow a Grown Up (PenguinRandomHouse) for parents. dominique.thompson@me.com www.buzzconsulting.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/drdomthompson/ https://www.facebook.com/drdomthompson/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-thompson/ Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Andrew Tate, the Manosphere & Teen Boys: What Parents Need to Know - Vintage	18 Mar 2026	00:33:28
Ask Rachel anything Parenting teen boys wrote three years ago asking us to discuss how we can talk to boys about influential online figures like Andrew Tate. The 'bros' act both as an inspiration to achieve great things, and a lightning rod for disgruntled men who blame feminism for their ills and cheer on his particular form of aggressive misogyny. Now that Louis Theroux has shone a light on the Manosphere in his latest Netflix documentary I thought it important to dust off this old episode because the information is far more detailed, and useful for parents of tweens and teens. Whether the words Red Pill, Matrix, and Manosphere have any particular meaning for you, they are having an increasing impact on the environment our boys are growing up in. It's up to us as parents to help our boys unpack what they're hearing and sift the diamonds from the dirt. My research into the topic has highlighted an urgent need to be talking with our sons about their dreams, and how we can support them in discovering role models who show what it is to be a successful man, without needing to humiliate and destroy other people. Click here for tips and advice from the episode: Avoid silencing your teen, even if you disagree with what they say. It's vital that they are given the chance to talk about what they're thinking so that you can have proper discussions about it. Telling them they are wrong won't help them think about the issues. Focus the discussion on what is really attractive to them about the messages they are hearing, and help them to differentiate between the positive and the dangerously negative. Unpick the words the boys use and be clear about anything that is sexist, racist, etc and why that's an issue. Remember, they are building their identity and they're allowed to make mistakes along the way. Don't shame them. Arm yourself with real facts. If they tell you something that they've heard online help them to go to real sources, rather than simply listening to someone who has an agenda and wants to get lots of clicks. Don't just focus on Tate, he's only one of the people espousing this thinking. Potential role models: Look for men in your own community first Greg James Mark Lewis: https://www.marklewis.co.uk/ Novak Djokovic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=867mtHTsaDo Stephen Bartlett - Diary of a CEO (Business) His podcast has lots of successful men being interviewed. KSI, Beta Squad, Sidemen, Mr Beast, Chris MD. Bear Grylls - Chief Scout and outdoor adventurer. Lebron James - Basketball Dwayne Johnson - former wrestler now actor - a top earning Insta celeb. Christiano Ronaldo - footballer, family man, top earning Insta celeb. Justin Baldoni - Actor Chris Evans - Captain America actor Terry Crews - Former NFL and a Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Think You’re Failing as a Parent? You’re Probably Doing Better Than You Imagine	11 Mar 2026	01:18:21
Ask Rachel anything If you’ve ever lain awake at night wondering whether you’re getting this parenting thing horribly wrong, you need to hear this conversation with surgeon and author Gabriel Weston. Gabriel is a mother of four – including tween twins – a prize‑winning writer and a working surgeon. She talks with disarming honesty about: How she parents without pretending to be endlessly patient or perfect Why it’s okay to have limits to how much joy you get from parenting The very real ways she sometimes gets it wrong, and how her kids now call her out What her son’s life‑threatening brain condition and her own health scares have taught her about seeing all of us – including our teens – as “beautifully broken” humans How she and her husband navigate very different parenting styles, from strict boundaries to snacks and softness What I love about Gabriel is that she says the quiet things out loud – the thoughts so many parents have but feel too guilty to admit. She’s funny, wise, and completely unpretentious, and by the end you may feel surprisingly lighter about your own “failings” as a parent. If you’ve ever worried that you’re too controlling, not present enough, not soft enough, or simply not “motherly” in the way you think you’re supposed to be, this episode will help you see that you are probably doing far better than you think. Find Gabriel here: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielwestonalive/ Buy her books: https://www.waterstones.com/author/gabriel-weston/6579 https://amzn.eu/d/0cGm5jnK Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Sextortion & AI Fake Nudes: What Every Parent of a Teen Needs to Know”	04 Mar 2026	00:32:48
Ask Rachel anything A teenager no longer has to send a nude for a sexual image of them to end up online. AI can now take an ordinary photograph of a child or teenager and create a convincing fake nude. Add sextortion, online grooming and the sharing of intimate images, and the digital landscape our children are navigating has changed dramatically. So what do parents actually need to know — and how can we protect our kids without terrifying them or constantly monitoring everything they do? In this episode, Rachel talks to Emma Hardy from the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), a world-leading organisation working to find and remove child sexual abuse images from the internet. Emma explains how teenagers can be groomed into sharing sexual images, why 11–13 year olds are particularly vulnerable, and why younger children are increasingly appearing in the material the IWF encounters. We also explore the alarming growth of AI-generated sexual images and “nudifying” apps, which can turn an ordinary photograph into a fake nude without the person ever having shared an intimate image. Emma explains how these images are being used to humiliate, bully and blackmail young people — and how sextortion can escalate frighteningly quickly. But this isn't an episode about panicking or taking technology away from our children. It's about giving them — and ourselves — the knowledge to respond. We cover: What parents need to know about sextortion How online grooming can start with seemingly harmless games and flattery Why children may not realise they're being manipulated How AI can create fake nude images from ordinary photographs What parents need to know about nudifying apps Why boys and girls can be targeted differently Why teenagers should never pay someone who is blackmailing them The risks of cameras and connected devices in bedrooms Whether parents should allow photographs of their children to be posted online How to talk about nudes and online sexual risks without frightening your child Why family conversations are one of our most powerful online-safety tools What to do if your teenager has already shared an intimate image How the Report Remove service can help stop images spreading Why your first reaction matters enormously if your child comes to you for help Perhaps the most important message in this episode is simple: if something does go wrong, we want our child to come to us. Emma's advice is to resist anger, stay calm and make sure they understand that being manipulated, groomed or blackmailed does not make them responsible for the actions of the offender. We can't anticipate everything our teenagers will encounter online. But we can give them knowledge, boundaries and a trusted adult they know they can turn to when something goes wrong. THE BEST PROTECTION: Keep devices out of bedrooms and bathrooms. Read my devices guide, with links to all of the relevant episodes, here Top tips from this episode KEY RESOURCES: TALK resource Report Remove tool Create a Family Agreement UK Safer Internet Centre website - https://saferinternet.org.uk/ Internet Matters website https://www.internetmatters.org/ Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Teen Anxiety & Achievement Pressure: How to Raise Successful Kids Who Know They Matter	25 Feb 2026	00:27:00
Ask Rachel anything We all want our teenagers to do well. But what happens when encouragement turns into achievement pressure — and our kids start believing their grades, popularity, appearance or success determine how much they're worth? Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Jennifer Breheny Wallace has spent years researching achievement culture, anxiety and the pressures facing young people. Her latest work explores something she believes is fundamental to raising resilient, motivated teenagers: mattering. Mattering is the feeling that we are valued for who we are, not simply for what we achieve — and that we have something valuable to contribute to the people and world around us. In this episode, Jennifer explains why teenagers growing up in high-achieving environments can be particularly vulnerable to anxiety, burnout and a fragile sense of self-worth — and why simply reducing our expectations isn't necessarily the answer. Instead, she argues that teenagers need to hear a powerful message from us: you are not your successes and you are not your failures. Surprisingly, giving teenagers this unconditional sense of worth doesn't make them less ambitious. It can give them the security to aim higher, because failure no longer feels like a verdict on who they are. We discuss: Teen anxiety, academic pressure and achievement culture Why high-achieving teenagers can struggle with mental health How to motivate teenagers without criticism, fear or comparison Why Jennifer calls these tactics “dirty fuel” How to use curiosity rather than anger when a teenager isn't doing well Why parents should focus on how the work gets done, rather than obsessing over grades How social media intensifies comparison, status and materialistic values The difference between intrinsic and extrinsic values How to make your teenager feel that they matter Why parents need to feel that they matter too How friendships and community can make us better parents One simple way to show your teenager every day that you're delighted they exist Jennifer also shares a wonderful question for parents: Imagine your child 10 or 20 years from now. What story would you like them to tell about their childhood and their relationship with you — and are you helping them tell that story? This is an episode about raising ambitious, successful teenagers without making achievement the price they believe they have to pay for our love. FIND JENNIFER HERE BUY MATTERING HERE RACHEL'S SUBSTACK ARTICLE TO ACCOMPANY THIS INTERVIEW HERE Mattering is a fundamental human need that drives behavior. The adolescent years are particularly fragile for developing a sense of mattering. Adults also struggle with feelings of not mattering, impacting their ability to support teens. Building connections and support systems is essential for both parents and children. Minimizing criticism and prioritizing affection helps children feel valued. Surrounding oneself with supportive families can reinforce shared values. Focusing on intrinsic values over extrinsic ones promotes better mental health. Social media exacerbates feelings of inadequacy and should be monitored. Parents can counter achievement pressures by communicating unconditional love. Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Estranged Adult Children: Why They Cut Parents Off & What We Can Do Now	18 Feb 2026	00:35:19
Ask Rachel anything When Brooklyn Beckham publicly announced he didn't want to reconcile with his parents he was joining a painful catalogue of family stories that have gone wrong. Estrangement is reportedly on the rise in Western societies but what's behind it? Dr Joshua Coleman spends his life working with estranged parents so he sees, first hand, the main factors that can lead to it. He highlights that while emotional abuse is often cited as a cause, it's often a matter of unmet expectations and generational differences. Some of the core drivers are divorce, children marrying someone who doesn't get on with your family, social media ideals, therapy culture and individualism. Given that estrangement can be emotionally devastating for parents, leading to feelings of isolation and loss, he advises parents to take their children's complaints seriously and to be open to therapy and family discussions. Dr Joshua Coleman: Family Troubles: https://joshuacolemanphd.substack.com/ https://joshuacolemanphd.substack.com/p/how-to-not-become-estranged https://www.drjoshuacoleman.com/ Teenagers Untangled Community Substack: https://teenagersuntangled.substack.com/ Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Teen Body Image & Social Media: How to Protect Their Self-Esteem. Vintage	11 Feb 2026	00:31:12
Ask Rachel anything Puberty can make teenagers painfully aware of their changing bodies. Add Instagram, TikTok, advertising and the pressure to fit in, and it's little wonder that so many teens struggle with body image and self-esteem. So what can parents do to help? In this episode, Rachel talks with mindfulness coach and mum of three Susie Asli about teenage body image, social media, comparison and the powerful need to belong. We explore why commenting on appearance — even when we think we're giving a compliment — can sometimes reinforce the very pressures we're trying to protect our teenagers from, and why focusing instead on what their bodies can do, who they are and the relationships that make them feel valued can help build a healthier sense of self. We also discuss the warning signs that body-image worries may be becoming more serious, including obsessing over weight or particular body parts, avoiding activities because of appearance, constantly comparing themselves with others, and linking food with guilt or shame. Plus: how can we model a healthier relationship with our own bodies, help teenagers see through unrealistic social-media images, and give them the confidence to experiment with their identity without feeling they have to look a particular way to belong? And in our listener question, we tackle another familiar parenting battle: How do you get teenagers to do chores without endless arguments about whose turn it is? We discuss why teenagers need household responsibilities, how chores teach valuable life skills, and why allocating jobs in advance can work far better than ambushing a teenager halfway through TikTok. Rachel's thoughts and tips on body image Rachel's thoughts and tips on getting kids to do chores Resources: https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/healthy-lifestyle/body-image/body-image-teens The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor I Thought it was just me by Brené Brown Previous episode: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/104-teen-weight-and-body-image-a-mother-and-daughter-explore-the-issues/ Chores: Household duties develop a sense of purpose. Lack of purpose is one of the most reported problems in suicidal people. Teens are capable of doing practically any household duty and gives them a sense of belonging to the family team. The Gift of Failure Jessica Lahey: Children prefer parents who hold them responsible for not meeting expectations over those who monitor their children. Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook
	Teen Friendship Problems: How to Help When Your Child Is Struggling Socially	04 Feb 2026	00:55:01
Ask Rachel anything 'Early adolescence is a friendship meat grinder, and your kid will eventually find their people,' according to Megan Saxelby of Wild Feelings. But oh boy it's tough! Megan wants parents to know that using words like “dramatic” to describe genuine social pain can accidentally give us permission to dismiss their emotional reality and teach our kids that their experiences doesn’t deserve to be taken seriously. In today’s episode we explore why it hurts so much to watch our child struggle socially, and why our instincts to either dismiss or ‘fix things’ can often make it worse. The good news is that there’s new research, by the eminent Dr David Yeager, that shows there’s one thing our kids can learn that can reduce depression in teens by nearly 40%. We hear the details and some great tips for us parents on the frontline. Megan Saxelby: Rachel's blog reflections on teen friendship distress The Study: This is such a big topic I have created a lot of content to cover it: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/boy-friendships-and-supporting-our-sons-in-forming-positive-friendships-also-what-the-we-sho-1/ https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/114-friendships-frenemies-and-boy-banter-parenting-our-teens-through-the-relationship-pitfalls/ https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/puberty-toxic-friendships-pick-me-girls-top-tips-for-parenting-teenagers-from-teenagers-147/ https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/top-friendship-tips-for-teen-girls-lessons-from-real-life-sisters/ https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/139-preparing-for-secondary-school-friendship-groups-and-those-awkward-talks-about-porn-and-sexti/ https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/friendship-girls-and-toxic-groups-also-resilience-how-to-get-your-teen-to-keep-going-instead-of-g/ Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email teenagersuntangled@gmail.com My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook

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