Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

If you've ever ended the day thinking, "Ugh, I was way too impatient. I didn't handle that well. I need to do better," you're not alone. Parenting teens has a way of making even the most loving parents feel like they're always falling short.
👉 Tired of feeling like you're getting it all wrong? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents trade second-guessing for confidence, learn to notice what's going right, and get support from parents who get it. Try it free for 7 days
In this episode, I sit down with counselor Erin Morrison, creator of The Conscious Mom and author of Three Minutes for Mom. Erin explains why our brains focus on the negative, how to stop taking our teen's behavior so personally, and what it means to be "doing enough." She also shares a simple 3-minute daily practice to help you reconnect with yourself and your teen.
If you're constantly hard on yourself, overwhelmed by parenting pressure, or tired of feeling like you're not enough, this episode is your reset.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why your teen's boundary-pushing can be a good sign
A 3-minute daily practice that helps you feel like a good parent again
How to shift from constant self-criticism to quiet confidence
How to stop taking your teen's behavior personally
What you're getting right, even when it doesn't feel like it
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Why parenting teens feels so hard
03:05 Reframing how we see parenting
05:42 Noticing your parenting wins
08:46 Why you need to recognize yourself
11:24 Responding vs. reacting
14:25 How you see yourself shapes how you parent
17:28 Building a positive relationship with your teen
20:25 Practical steps for self-care
23:19 Finding balance
26:36 Grounding in what's true
29:09 Tiny shifts, big changes
32:35 Balancing the work and fun of parenting
35:40 Understanding teen development
37:59 Letting go to stay connected
46:20 Ownership and independence
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Three Minutes for Mom by Erin Morrison
"Catch Them Being Kind" 5-Day Challenge
The "Friend Perspective" and "It's Not Personal, It's Developmental" reminders
CONNECT WITH ERIN MORRISON
Website: TheConsciousMom.com
Instagram: @itsthe.consciousmom
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
Parenting Teens Academy
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Ever wish you had a pause button, for your teen or for yourself? When you're caught in a meltdown, shutdown, or power struggle, it's easy to react and regret it later.
👉 Want fewer blowups to manage in the first place? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to spot the warning signs early, stay calm when emotions run high, and bring peace back to their home. Try it free for 7 days
In this episode, I sit down with Jennie Phillips, a coach, fitness pro, mom of four, and author of Yellow Light Moments. Jennie shares her simple 3-step method, Yield, Listen, Move, to help families slow down and reset before emotions explode. If your family is running on exhaustion and conflict, a few intentional minutes can change a lot.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
A 3-step pause that stops teen blowups before they start
How to create a shared emotional language with your teen, like "caterpillar" or "question quota"
Why your teen's "laziness" might be healthy self-regulation
How guilt about self-care can hurt your parenting
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Why parents and teens need a pause
01:09 What Yellow Light Moments are
06:38 How to stop a teen meltdown before it starts
12:27 Why pausing prevents blowups
20:24 Training yourself to yield
25:44 What changes when you pause
29:37 Modeling calm for your teen
33:56 Final thoughts and action steps
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Yellow Light Moments by Jennie Phillips
Yellow Light Moments Toolbox for Teens
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
CONNECT WITH JENNIE PHILLIPS
Website: JenniePhillipsCoaching.com
Instagram: @jenniephillipscoaching
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
Parenting Teens Academy
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Worried your teen might fall into the wrong hands online? You're not being overprotective. You're being smart.
👉 Want your teen to come to you when something feels off online? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to talk about online safety without lectures, stay calm when they find something worrying, and build the trust that keeps teens safe. Try it free for 7 days
In this episode, I sit down with Nate Lewis, founder of The Innocent, a nonprofit working to protect kids from trafficking, exploitation, and abuse in the US. A former law enforcement officer with more than 20 years of global anti-trafficking experience, Nate shares real-world ways to protect your teen without shutting them down or locking everything down.
We talk about how grooming works, why emotionally vulnerable teens are at greater risk, and the subtle online red flags parents often miss. Most of all, we talk about building the kind of connection that keeps your teen safe. Because the best safety tool isn't an app. It's trust.
If you're worried about your teen's safety online, report online exploitation to the CyberTipline at CyberTipline.org or 1-800-843-5678. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
The #1 predictor of whether a predator can gain access to your teen
How grooming works, and the red flags parents often miss
Why controlling devices can backfire, and what to do instead
How to talk to your teen about safety without triggering defensiveness
The role of male mentors and modeling in reducing vulnerability
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 The real risks of online predators
02:55 Nate's story and why he does this work
05:48 How grooming works
08:45 Building trust and communication with teens
11:31 Staying safe on social media
14:35 Which teens are more vulnerable
17:18 Helping teens resist manipulation
20:09 The parent's role in prevention
23:04 Modeling healthy relationships
25:55 Talking about consent
28:54 Supporting teens after trauma
31:56 Creating a community response
34:44 Why education and awareness matter
CONNECT WITH NATE LEWIS AND THE INNOCENT
Website: TheInnocent.org
Instagram: @theinnocent.usa
TikTok: @theinnocent.usa
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
Parenting Teens Academy
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Constantly clashing with your teen? Here's the good news: conflict isn't the problem. It's how we handle it.
👉 Want disagreements that build your teen up instead of blowing up? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to stay calm in the heat of an argument, solve problems together, and raise a teen who can disagree respectfully. Try it free for 7 days
In this episode, I sit down with Bob Bordone, a negotiation and conflict resolution expert who taught at Harvard Law School and author of Conflict Resilience. Bob shares how the same strategies used to resolve high-stakes disputes can turn power struggles and blowups into productive conversations that build trust and teach teens lifelong skills.
Avoiding conflict might feel easier in the moment, but it weakens your connection over time. Bob explains how to use everyday disagreements to teach problem-solving, perspective-taking, and resilience.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why avoiding conflict with your teen may hurt more than help
How naming emotions, known as "affective labeling," calms heated arguments
How to stop power struggles and spark better problem-solving
Why teens who know how to argue well are more resilient and confident
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Why conflict can be good for parents and teens
05:48 Why we avoid conflict
11:35 Turning conflict into collaboration
15:41 Communication strategies that work
20:37 Technology and boundaries
28:03 Building trust with your teen
35:37 Becoming conflict resilient
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Conflict Resilience by Bob Bordone
Matthew Lieberman's research on affective labeling (UCLA)
Dr. Judson Brewer on the "Bigger Better Offer"
Family idea: read Conflict Resilience together as a family book club
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
CONNECT WITH BOB BORDONE
Website: BobBordone.com
Instagram: @bobbybordone
X: @bobbordone
Facebook: Bob Bordone
LinkedIn: Robert Bordone
YouTube: Bob Bordone
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
Parenting Teens Academy
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Is college right for your teen? If your teen seems unmotivated, disconnected from school, or uninterested in college, you're not alone, and it doesn't mean they're lazy or doomed. They may just be tired of chasing someone else's version of success.
👉 Want to motivate your teen without grades, guilt, or fear? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to support their teen's path without power struggles, ease the pressure, and stay close while their teen figures out their future. Try it free for 7 days
In this episode, I sit down with Hannah Maruyama, founder of Degree Free, who helps families explore real-world career paths beyond the traditional college route. We talk about why college isn't the right fit for every teen, what employers value now, and how to help your teen build a future that fits them, without unnecessary debt, pressure, or burnout.
Most teens only know a handful of jobs, the ones they can see. Hannah shares how to open their eyes to what's out there, and how to test a path before spending tens of thousands of dollars on it.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why pushing college as the only option backfires for many teens
5 paths that don't require a degree: getting a job, an apprenticeship or on-the-job training, a license or certification, building or buying a business, and learning a skill
The 4 factors to weigh when choosing a path: income, schedule, location, and work environment
A simple way to test whether a degree is truly required: apply for real jobs in the field first
How to motivate your teen without grades, guilt, or fear
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Rethinking success beyond college
01:28 Hannah's path from college to career freedom
04:15 The pressure to go to college
05:48 How college became the default
10:10 Student loans and their impact
12:50 Who really benefits from college?
15:39 Job requirements: degrees vs. skills
21:19 How the job market is shifting away from degrees
26:10 Preparing teens for an uncertain job market
32:44 The future of professional credentials
34:24 Rethinking education and career paths
36:36 Planning a career strategically
39:04 Why your teen's individual needs matter
42:25 Helping your teen choose a path
49:36 Empowering parents and teens
52:13 Alternative paths to success
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Degree Free: custom career roadmaps for teens and parents
5 Pathways to Great Work (video)
CONNECT WITH HANNAH MARUYAMA
Website: DegreeFree.com
Instagram: @degreefree
YouTube: @DegreeFree
TikTok: @degreefree
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
Parenting Teens Academy
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Found out your teen is smoking or vaping weed, or worried they might be? Before you react, here's something most parents don't know: peer pressure usually isn't the main reason.
👉 Want your teen to talk to you honestly about weed? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to have hard conversations without lectures, stay calm when they find something worrying, and build the trust that keeps teens safer. Try it free for 7 days
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jessica Willoughby and Dr. Stacey Hust from Washington State University's Media Adolescent Cannabis (MAC) Lab. Drawing on their research, they explain how marketing, social media, and misleading packaging, not just friends, shape how teens think about cannabis.
If you've ever felt unsure how to talk to your teen about weed, you're not alone. This episode gives you the insight and language to have honest conversations without losing the connection.
If you're worried about your teen's substance use, the SAMHSA National Helpline is free, confidential, and open 24/7 at 1-800-662-4357.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why peer pressure isn't the main reason teens use weed today
How marketing, packaging, and what teens think "everyone" is doing shape their choices
What THC gummies, vapes, and "natural" branding do to how teens see weed
How cannabis affects the developing teen brain
Harm reduction strategies that help when prevention isn't enough
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Why teens are using cannabis
03:06 How cannabis affects the teen brain
07:30 How to talk to your teen about weed
12:15 Harm reduction strategies for parents
19:53 How marketing drives teen cannabis use
25:17 The problem with edibles
30:29 Tough calls for parents
32:28 Starting the conversation early
RESOURCES MENTIONED
WSU Media Adolescent Cannabis (MAC) Lab
SAMHSA National Helpline
NIDA: Cannabis
CDC: Cannabis and Teens
Teens, Sex and Media Effects by Stacey Hust, Jessica Fitts Willoughby, and Rebecca Ortiz
CONNECT WITH DR. STACEY HUST
LinkedIn: Stacey Hust
Bluesky: @staceyhust.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH DR. JESSICA WILLOUGHBY
LinkedIn: Jessica Fitts Willoughby
Bluesky: @jwilloughby.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
Parenting Teens Academy
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Do you end most days feeling like you're not doing enough? Mom guilt doesn't disappear when kids become teens. For many of us, it gets louder.
👉 Tired of carrying the guilt alone? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, you'll find a judgment-free community of parents who get it, steady support from me, and a calmer way to parent from your own values. Try it free for 7 days
In this episode, I sit down with writer and professor Nancy Reddy, author of The Good Mother Myth, to talk about the crushing weight of unrealistic parenting expectations. We explore how outdated ideas about being a "good mom" fuel guilt and stress, the difference between helpful guilt and harmful shame, and how to let go of perfectionism as your teen grows more independent.
Nancy also shares why asking for help, and letting your teen see you do it, is one of the best lessons you can teach. If you're tired of feeling like you're not enough, this episode is both a sigh of relief and a gentle wake-up call.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
How outdated "good mom" myths create guilt for modern parents
The difference between guilt, which can spark change, and shame, which keeps you stuck
The truth about your role in your teen's happiness
How to use a quick values check when guilt creeps in
Why building a "friend family" and asking for help makes you a better parent
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 The pressure to be a perfect mom
03:12 Shifting into parenting teens
06:05 Understanding mom guilt
09:01 The myth of the perfect mother
12:03 Guilt vs. accountability
14:48 Letting go of guilt and trusting your teen
18:11 Sharing the load with co-parents and community
21:22 Where mom guilt starts
24:38 Building your "friend family"
26:10 When guilt helps, and when it doesn't
30:09 Why asking for help matters
33:11 Modeling vulnerability for your kids
38:34 Using your values to quiet guilt
RESOURCES MENTIONED
The Good Mother Myth by Nancy Reddy
Write More, Be Less Careful, Nancy's newsletter
Work Like a Mother by Lara Bazelon
Unfit Parent by Jessica Slice
Erica Boothby's research on "the liking gap"
Margaret Mead's anthropological research
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
CONNECT WITH NANCY REDDY
Website: NancyReddy.com
Instagram: @nancy.o.reddy
Newsletter: Write More, Be Less Careful
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
Parenting Teens Academy
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Are you stuck in constant battles with your teen, no matter how many consequences you hand out? You're not alone.
👉 Tired of battles that consequences don't fix? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to set limits without yelling, stay calm when their teen pushes back, and follow through without power struggles. Try it free for 7 days
In this episode, I sit down with psychologist and TEDx speaker Dr. Paul Sunseri, author of Gentle Parenting Reimagined. With more than 40 years of experience, Dr. Sunseri shares how to stay calm, set firm boundaries, and change the dynamic with a strong-willed or defiant teen, without yelling or giving in.
Teen defiance is often about the relationship, not just the behavior. When we shift from trying to fix the kid to changing how we respond, things start to move.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
What to do when consequences no longer work with your teen
How to set boundaries without yelling or power struggles
The difference between gentle parenting and permissive parenting
How to tie privileges, like screen time, to daily responsibilities and follow through
Why staying the course through resistance builds resilience in your teen
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Understanding defiance in teens
05:13 How parent and teen behavior affect each other
10:05 Common mistakes parents make
18:10 Handling big emotions
28:03 Managing household responsibilities
30:36 The autonomy dilemma
32:26 How to talk so teens listen
34:20 Flexibility and boundaries
36:12 Motivation and homework
39:00 Why teens resist homework
42:31 Balancing privileges and responsibilities
45:41 Negotiating homework and screen time
48:56 Setting homework expectations
51:17 Building better habits
54:36 Setting realistic parenting goals
57:38 Why limits and expectations matter
01:01:29 Building resilience through challenges
01:05:33 Parenting across generations
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Gentle Parenting: When to Lean Out Instead of Leaning In (Psychology Today)
"Consequences Don't Work With My Kid" (Psychology Today)
Gentle Parenting Deserves Another Chance (Today's Parent)
CONNECT WITH DR. PAUL SUNSERI
Website: myIFFT.org
Instagram: @dr_paul_challengingkids
YouTube: Dr. Paul Sunseri
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
Parenting Teens Academy
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

When your teen falls in love for the first time, or goes through their first heartbreak, it can be emotional for everyone. You want to protect them and guide them, and maybe even stop them from getting hurt. But if we're not careful, our good intentions can push them away.
👉 Want your teen to come to you about dating instead of hiding it? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn what to say when they're worried about a relationship, how to support their teen through heartbreak, and how to keep the conversation open. Try it free for 7 days
In this episode, I sit down with journalist, professor, and mom Lisa A. Phillips, author of First Love: Guiding Teens Through Relationships and Heartbreak. Lisa shares how to talk to your teen about dating, heartbreak, and red-flag relationships without causing shutdown or secrecy.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why teens hide their relationships, and how to keep the conversation open
How to support your teen through their first heartbreak without minimizing their pain
What to say when you're worried about who your teen is dating
Why asking what "dating" means to your teen matters, since it might just mean texting
How sharing your own relationship experiences can help your teen make better choices
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Teen relationships today
02:57 Parents' biggest fears about teen dating
06:03 Why validating your teen's feelings matters
09:09 Setting boundaries when your teen wants to date
11:55 When a relationship takes over
14:50 Building self-worth beyond romance
17:56 What to do when you don't like who they're dating
24:22 Having hard conversations with your teen
27:33 How parents influence teen relationships
30:19 Handling conflict in teen relationships
33:19 Helping your teen through a breakup
36:59 Reflecting and growing after heartbreak
40:19 How first loves shape future relationships
RESOURCES MENTIONED
First Love: Guiding Teens Through Relationships and Heartbreak by Lisa A. Phillips
CONNECT WITH LISA A. PHILLIPS
Website: LisaAmyPhillips.com
Instagram: @lisaamyphillips18
Facebook: Lisa A. Phillips
LinkedIn: Lisa A. Phillips
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
Parenting Teens Academy
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

If setting boundaries with your teen feels like trying to nail Jell-O to a wall, you're not alone. And if you've ever asked yourself, "Am I being too strict? Too lenient?" this episode is your answer.
👉 Not sure if you're too strict or too lenient? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn which rules to hold firm on, which to let go of, and how to keep the relationship strong while doing it. Try it free for 7 days
In this episode, I sit down with social scientist Matilda Gosling, author of Teenagers: The Evidence Base, to talk about what the research says about setting boundaries that work. Matilda brings both the data and the empathy, helping parents understand where to draw the line, when to back off, and how to protect their teen while preparing them for the real world.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why boundaries help teens feel safe, not smothered
How to focus on the rules that matter, like health, safety, and well-being, and let go of the small battles
Why explaining the "why" works better than dictating
Why respecting your teen's privacy builds openness, and snooping leads to secrets
How to set your own boundaries as a parent without feeling guilty
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Understanding boundaries with teens
02:59 Why independence matters
05:48 Boundaries vs. rules
09:04 Negotiating boundaries with your teen
12:02 Common mistakes parents make
15:02 The problem with "safetyism"
18:08 Respecting your teen's privacy
20:56 Which boundaries matter most
23:46 Setting your own boundaries as a parent
27:06 Why modeling matters
29:57 Handling big emotional reactions
32:49 Final thoughts on boundaries
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Matilda Gosling's Substack: sign up for a free PDF Q&A on teen mental health
Teenagers: The Evidence Base by Matilda Gosling
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
CONNECT WITH MATILDA GOSLING
Substack: matildagosling.substack.com
Instagram: @matilda.gosling
X: @matildagosling
LinkedIn: Matilda Gosling
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
Parenting Teens Academy
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.