Podcast
Power Your Parenting: Moms With Teens
Hosted by Colleen O'Grady LPC, LMFT, author, speaker & C-Suite Radio · EN
Colleen O'Grady, MA. is a speaker, trainer and author of the award-winning and best-selling book Dial Down the Drama: Reduce Conflict and Reconnect with Your Teenage Daughter---A Guide for Mothers Everywhere. Colleen shares her wisdom from twenty-five years of experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist which translates into over 50,000 hours of working with parents and teens. Colleen, known as the parent-teen relationship expert helps you raise the bar of what's possible for the teenage years. Colleen not only knows this professionally she has been a mom in the trenches with her own teenage daughter. You really can improve your relationship with your teen and dial up the joy, peace, and delight at home and work. Every episode is geared to uplift you, give you practical parenting tips that you can apply right away and keep you current on the latest in teen research and trends.
32episodes
Episodes
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# 375 Girl Drama
4d ago00:30:43Tap to summarizeHave you ever felt your heart break watching your daughter come home devastated by friendship drama—and wondered if helping might actually make things worse? In this episode of Power Your Parenting Moms with Teens, Colleen O’Grady sits down with friendship expert and author Shari Gazitt to unpack the emotional world of girl drama, exclusion, group chats, and friendship struggles. Together, they explore why moms often feel pulled into the pain of their daughters’ social struggles and how our own teenage experiences can get triggered in the process. Shari shares practical wisdom for supporting girls without rescuing, fixing, or escalating the drama. Shari Gazitt is an international friendship expert, speaker, founder of Teen Wise, and author of Girl Drama Decoded: Empower Your Daughter Through the Ups and Downs of Girl Drama and Friendships. With a background in counseling psychology and over 30 years of experience, she has helped thousands of girls navigate friendship struggles, social anxiety, exclusion, and the emotional ups and downs of growing up. Through coaching, workshops, and her Mom Wise Collective, Shari equips both moms and daughters with tools to build resilience, confidence, and healthier relationships. In this conversation, Colleen and Shari discuss the biggest mistakes moms make when their daughters are hurting—such as becoming overly dramatic, dismissive, or intrusive. They talk about why moms must “stay above the drama” instead of jumping into the trenches with their daughters, how group chats intensify social pain, and why trying to control other girls, parents, or schools often backfires. The episode also dives into emotional resilience, cognitive distortions, boundary setting, role modeling healthy friendships, and the importance of helping girls believe they are strong enough to navigate difficult social situations. One of the most powerful themes throughout the episode is that moms don’t need to fix every problem—they need to help strengthen their daughters. Three Takeaways 1. Your daughter needs calm support more than rescue. Validation and listening often help more than immediately fixing the problem. 2. Moms can accidentally intensify girl drama when their own emotions, fears, or past wounds get activated. 3. The goal is not to protect daughters from every hard friendship experience, but to help them build confidence, resilience, boundaries, and healthy relationship skills. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beteenwise/ Learn More at: https://www.teen-wise.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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# 374 When Your Adult Child Strays
2w ago00:47:32Tap to summarizeHave you ever looked at your adult child and wondered, “How did we get here—and how do I love them without losing myself in fear, grief, or control?” In this powerful episode of Power Your Parenting Moms with Teens, Colleen O’Grady sits down with bestselling author and parenting expert Jim Burns to talk about one of the most painful and confusing seasons of parenting: when an adult child begins to drift—whether from family values, faith, responsibility, or even the relationship itself. Jim shares practical wisdom and deep compassion for parents navigating estrangement, emotional distance, poor choices, or the heartbreak of watching a child struggle in their 20s and 30s. Together, Colleen and Jim discuss how to shift from controlling to connecting, how to set healthy boundaries without pushing your child away, and why staying in the “messy middle” matters more than perfection. Jim Burns is the founder of HomeWord, a ministry dedicated to helping families thrive, and the author of multiple bestselling books including Doing Life with Your Adult Children and When Your Adult Child Strays: Trading Heartache for Hope. He speaks around the world on parenting, marriage, faith, and leadership, and has more than three million resources in print in over 20 languages. Jim and his wife Kathy have three adult daughters and several grandchildren, giving him both professional expertise and lived experience in navigating the emerging adult years. In this conversation, Jim explains why parenting adult children requires an entirely different skill set than parenting teens. He discusses the importance of “giving your child the passport to adulthood,” why unsolicited advice often feels like criticism, and how fear can quietly drive unhealthy parenting patterns. Colleen and Jim also tackle difficult topics like estrangement, deconstruction of faith, enabling versus helping, codependency, and the grief many parents experience when their dreams for their child don’t unfold the way they imagined. Throughout the episode, Jim emphasizes that the goal is not controlling your adult child—it’s preserving connection, becoming a safe person, and building bridges instead of walls. 3 Takeaways from This Episode: Parenting adult children requires letting go of control while staying emotionally connected. Fear-based parenting often damages relationships, while warmth, listening, and boundaries foster trust. Estrangement and struggles do not mean you failed as a parent—healing and reconnection are still possible. Follow at: https://www.instagram.com/homewordfamily/ Learn More at: https://homeword.com/about/jim-burns/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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# 373 Moms and the Juggling Act
2w ago00:43:31Tap to summarizeDo you ever feel like you’re carrying the entire mental load of your family while trying to hold together your work, your home, your relationships, and yourself? In this episode of Power Your Parenting Moms with Teens, Colleen O’Grady talks with Sarah Armstrong about the reality of modern motherhood, the invisible pressure moms carry, and how to move from merely surviving to actually thriving. Sarah shares practical and deeply relatable wisdom for working moms trying to balance careers, parenting, emotional labor, and self-care without losing themselves in the process. Together, Colleen and Sarah discuss the importance of boundaries, routines, mindset, support systems, and why moms must stop treating themselves like they come last on their own to-do list. Sarah Armstrong is the author of The Art of the Juggling Act: Bite Size Guide for Working Parents and The Mom’s Guide to a Good Divorce. She is also Vice President of Global Marketing Operations at Google and the proud mom of Grace, now a young adult successfully launched into the world. Sarah has spent decades mentoring working parents and helping families navigate the realities of parenting, career pressures, and life transitions with intentionality and grace. In this conversation, Sarah shares practical strategies that helped her manage both motherhood and a demanding global career. She talks about the importance of creating an “operating model” for your family, protecting personal time without guilt, and building what she calls a “compartmentalization muscle” so moms can be more present wherever they are. Sarah also discusses powerful routines like her “Sunday List,” creating decompression zones, teaching teens life skills and financial responsibility, and why support networks are essential for moms’ emotional wellbeing. Throughout the episode, Sarah reminds moms that doing the best you can is enough—and that intentionally caring for yourself is not selfish, but necessary. 3 Takeaways from This Episode: Moms need boundaries, routines, and support systems in order to thrive instead of burn out. Taking care of yourself is not selfish—it is essential for avoiding resentment and staying emotionally healthy. Teaching teens practical life skills and responsibility prepares them to become capable, confident adults. Learn more at: https://thejugglingact.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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# 372 Parenting Tips From a Navy Seal
4w ago00:51:10Tap to summarizeWelcome back to another episode of Power Your Parenting Moms with Teens. Have you ever wondered if some of the same mental toughness strategies used to train Navy SEALs could actually help us raise more resilient, confident teens? In today’s episode, we explore how allowing our kids to struggle, problem-solve, and experience manageable stress can actually strengthen them for life. Our guest today is Brandon Webb, a New York Times bestselling author, former Navy SEAL sniper instructor, entrepreneur, and father of three. Brandon spent over a decade training elite operators in performance psychology, mental conditioning, and resilience. In his new book, Puddle Jumpers, he applies those same principles to parenting, sharing practical tools for raising capable, joyful, and emotionally strong kids in today’s challenging world. In this conversation, Brandon shares why protecting kids from every discomfort can actually backfire and how “ordinary stressors” help build confidence and emotional resilience. We discussed the power of visualization and mental rehearsal, how a parent’s voice becomes a child’s inner voice, why leading by example matters more than lectures, and how asking thoughtful open-ended questions can create deeper conversations with teens. Brandon also opens up about mistakes he made as a father, what he learned from them, and how parents can balance boundaries with independence while still preserving connection with their kids. Three Takeaways for Moms Small struggles help build strong roots. Allowing kids to experience manageable stress, responsibility, and discomfort helps them develop confidence and resilience over time. Your voice becomes your child’s inner voice. The way parents speak to their kids—especially in emotional moments—can shape how teens eventually speak to themselves. Better questions create deeper conversations. Moving beyond “How was your day?” and asking open-ended, thoughtful questions can help teens open up in meaningful ways. Learn More at: https://brandontylerwebb.com/ Follow at: https://www.instagram.com/brandontwebb/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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# 371 Reclaim Connection with Your Teen
May 400:48:45Tap to summarizeHave you ever felt like your teen is more disconnected than ever—and you’re not quite sure how to reach them? In this episode we're talking about something so many moms are feeling but may not fully understand—this sense of disconnection with our teens. It can feel like you’re trying, but something just isn’t landing. In today’s world—post-pandemic, with screens, stress, and shifting social norms—connection isn’t as natural as it once was. But here’s the good news: it can be rebuilt, and often in simpler ways than you might think. My guest today is Amber Chandler, an eighth-grade English teacher, author, and mom of two teens. She recently wrote Reclaiming Connection: How Schools and Families Can Nurture Belonging in a Scared New World. Amber brings both professional insight from the classroom and personal experience as a parent to this important conversation. Her work focuses on helping families, schools, and communities better understand how to foster belonging and meaningful connection in a rapidly changing world. In this episode, we talk about how the pandemic disrupted teens’ social development and why many are struggling more with in-person connection. Amber shares why it’s too simplistic to blame technology alone and instead encourages us to look at the bigger picture of how connection has changed in our homes and communities. We explore how teens often don’t express their appreciation—but deeply feel it—and why small, everyday moments matter more than big experiences. Amber offers practical ways to connect with your teen, including understanding their unique communication style, knowing when to pause instead of push, and leading with empathy before jumping to discipline. We also talk about the importance of modeling humility through apology and how creating simple opportunities for real-life interaction can help teens rebuild confidence and connection. 3 Takeaways: Connection begins with empathy. When teens feel understood, they are far more open to influence and guidance. Small moments matter most. It’s the everyday interactions—not the big events—that build lasting connection. You have more impact than you think. Even if your teen doesn’t show it, they notice, value, and are shaped by you. Follow at https://www.instagram.com/amberrainchandler/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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#370 Helping Teens Think Critically
Apr 2700:35:09Tap to summarizeIn this eye-opening episode, Colleen O’Grady sits down with Dr. Maree Davies, cognitive psychology expert and author of Teaching Critical Thinking to Teenagers: How Kids Can Be Street Smart About AI, Algorithms, Fake News, and Social Media. Together they explore why critical thinking is one of the most essential life skills for today’s teens—and how parents can help develop it at home. Dr. Davies explains how social media platforms and AI algorithms are designed to capture attention, influence thinking, and keep teens engaged. She shares practical ways parents can help teens become more aware, more curious, and less vulnerable to manipulation, misinformation, and online rabbit holes. This conversation is packed with wisdom for raising thoughtful, self-aware, and resilient teens in a digital world. Key Takeaways: 1. Critical thinking starts with curiosity, not lectures. Instead of telling teens what to think, ask questions like: Does that sound right to you? What do you think? Where could we verify that? Curiosity builds stronger thinkers than criticism. 2. Parents should model critical thinking out loud. When parents say things like, Hmm… I’m not sure that’s true. Let’s check another source, teens learn how thoughtful adults process information. 3. Teens need connection, not isolation, to navigate digital life well. When teens feel safe talking with parents about what they’re seeing online, they are far more likely to ask for help, question misinformation, and make smarter choices. Memorable Quote: "Critical thinking is not something we do alone—it grows through talking, listening, and thinking together." – Dr. Maree Davies Learn More at: https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/mj-davies Follow at: https://nz.linkedin.com/in/maree-davies-22a39411 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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# 369 The Well Educated Teen
Apr 2000:32:49Tap to summarizeIn this thought-provoking episode, Colleen O’Grady sits down with educator and author Dr. Deborah Kenny to explore what it really means to raise a well-educated teen in today’s world. While many parents feel pressure around grades, test scores, college resumes, and performance, Dr. Kenny offers a much deeper and more meaningful vision of education. She explains that a truly good education is not just about getting A’s or doing well on standardized tests—it’s about helping kids become thoughtful, curious, morally grounded, independent thinkers. Together, Colleen and Dr. Kenny talk about how parents can look beyond GPA and begin asking bigger questions: Is my teen learning how to think? Can they write well? Can they have respectful disagreement? Are they developing purpose, leadership, and character? Dr. Kenny also discusses the limitations of today’s education system, the importance of cultivating agency and ethical purpose, and how moms can fill in the gaps at home when schools focus too heavily on performance over deeper learning. The conversation also touches on technology, AI, and how to help teens develop critical thinking in a world full of noise, distraction, and shallow messages. This episode is a powerful reminder that what matters most is not just whether our teens are successful on paper—but whether they are becoming wise, capable, grounded young adults. 3 Takeaways from the Episode 1. A good education is about much more than grades. A truly well-educated teen is not just high-achieving—they are curious, thoughtful, compassionate, and able to think independently. Parents can help shift the focus from “How did you do?” to “What are you learning?” 2. Writing, discussion, and deep thinking matter. Dr. Kenny emphasizes that writing is “thinking on paper.” If teens aren’t being taught to write carefully, revise thoughtfully, and engage with ideas deeply, they may be missing one of the most important parts of a strong education. 3. Moms can shape a deeper kind of learning at home. Even if schools are focused on test scores and performance, moms can still cultivate meaningful education by encouraging curiosity, purpose, ethical reflection, reading, and thoughtful conversations about the world around them—including AI and technology. Memorable Quote “Focus on the learning, the grades will come.” Guest Bio Dr. Deborah Kenny is the founder of Harlem Village Academies and the Deeper Learning Institute, and one of the most influential educators in the country. She has been honored with the Columbia University Teachers College Distinguished Alumni Award and was named on Oprah’s Power List and Esquire’s Best and Brightest. She holds a PhD in Comparative International Education from Columbia University and is the author of The Well-Educated Child. She is also the mother of three grown children and lives in New York City. Follow at: https://www.instagram.com/deborahkennyhva/?hl=en Learn More at: https://www.thewelleducatedchild.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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# 368 Handling Big Mom Emotions
Apr 1300:42:11Tap to summarize368 Handling Big Mom Emotions In this powerful and deeply validating episode, Colleen O’Grady talks with returning guest Eli Harwood, licensed therapist, attachment expert, bestselling author, and founder of Attachment Nerd. Eli shares insights from her new book, How to Deal with Your ______ So Your Kids Don’t Have To, and helps moms understand why their own emotions matter so much in parenting. Together, Colleen and Eli explore how feelings like anger, anxiety, loneliness, judgment, and control can quietly shape the way we show up with our tweens, teens, and young adults. Eli explains that parenting doesn’t just shape our kids—it also sharpens and develops us. She offers a compassionate framework for understanding our emotional habits, attachment patterns, and the ways our own childhood experiences can affect our parenting today. This conversation is full of hope, practical wisdom, and powerful reminders that you do not have to be a perfect mom to create a secure, connected relationship with your child. What matters most is your willingness to reflect, repair, and keep growing. 3 Takeaways from the Episode Your emotions matter more than you think. The way you handle your own feelings teaches your teen how to handle theirs. Control can cost connection. When moms parent from fear and control, it often creates more distance instead of influence. Repair is more powerful than perfection. You don’t have to get it right all the time—what matters most is coming back, owning it, and reconnecting. About Eli Harwood Eli Harwood, MA, LPC is a licensed therapist, bestselling author, educator, and widely respected attachment expert who has spent nearly two decades helping people build secure, healthy relationships. She is the author of Securely Attached, Raising Securely Attached Kids, Uniquely Us, and How to Deal with Your Blank So Your Kids Don’t Have To. Eli is passionate about helping parents become more emotionally aware and connected so they can create the kind of relationships their kids can truly feel safe in. She is also the creator of the popular platform Attachment Nerd. Eli is a mom of three and brings both professional expertise and real-life parenting experience to this conversation. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/attachmentnerd/?hl=en Learn More at: https://www.attachmentnerd.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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#367 Maintaining Your Calm
Apr 600:49:59Tap to summarizeDo you think you can maintain your calm and parent a teen? Well Hesha Abrams believes you can. In fact, she believes you can "Hold the Calm". Hesha Abrams is on a mission to help people from all walks of life to find a solution when it seems impossible. A recipient of the Brutsche Award for Excellence in Mediation and 2021 Women Leaders in The Law, Hesha is an internationally recognized attorney, mediator and negotiator for crafting highly creative settlements and resolutions in very difficult matters. She has successfully mediated thousands of parties and was an innovator in the mediation field serving on the legislative task force that drafted landmark ADR laws and taught mediation and negotiation at the 2001 International Symposium on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution in The Hague. Hesha recently published, Holding the Calm the Secret to Resolving Conflict and Defusing Tension. And we are going to discuss the secret in this episode. So if you would like to resolve conflict and defuse tension in your family then listen to this episode. Contact Hesha at https://www.holdingthecalm.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →# 366 Can Moms Live Their Best Life?
Mar 3000:47:21Tap to summarizeAre you a mom who feels like you’ve lost your spark—like so much of your life has been poured into raising your teen that you’re no longer sure what lights you up? In this episode, I sit down with Laura Best, author of Born to Buzz, to talk about how moms can reconnect with their passions without blowing up their lives to do it. Laura shares a refreshing and realistic approach: you don’t have to quit everything—you can rediscover your energy and purpose right where you are. Laura Best is a motivational keynote speaker, bestselling author, and founder of Passion Collective—a global community helping people reconnect with what they love. With over 25 years of experience as a corporate marketing leader, she has worked with major brands like U.S. Bank and now helps individuals and organizations unlock passion to drive energy, engagement, and fulfillment in both work and life. We explore why so many moms feel disconnected from themselves during the teen years, how guilt keeps us stuck, and why prioritizing your own fulfillment isn’t selfish—it actually makes you a better parent. Laura offers practical tools to help you reconnect with what you love, even if you’ve completely lost touch with it. If you’ve been feeling flat, burned out, or like you’ve disappeared somewhere along the way—this episode is your invitation to come back to life. ✨ 3 Takeaways 1. It’s not selfish to prioritize yourself—it’s necessary. When moms engage in what lights them up, they show up calmer, more present, and more connected. Taking care of yourself benefits your teen too. 2. You don’t need a big life change—start small. You don’t have to quit your job or overhaul your life. Reconnecting with passion can begin with small, consistent moments that bring you joy. 3. Look back to move forward. If you feel lost, think about a time when you felt most like yourself. What were you doing? That’s a clue to what still matters to you—and what you can bring back into your life. Learn More at: https://www.passioncollective.co/book Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passioncollective/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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