Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

Our Turn to Talk: Teen Mental Health Unfiltered with Erin Gallagher and Beth Murphy

In this episode we're diving into a crucial topic that's impacting teens across America. We're witnessing a concerning rise in anxiety, depression, and tragically, record-high rates of youth suicide. But what's really troubling is the relentless stigma that keeps so many teens from opening up about their struggles and seeking help.
Dr. Cam talks with two fantastic guests today: Erin Gallagher, the Executive Director of This Is My Brave (@thisismybrave), and Beth Murphy, the founder of Principle Pictures. These incredible women are part of the team behind the eye-opening documentary, "Our Turn to Talk." (https://www.ourturntotalk.com/) This film follows several brave teens on their journey to shatter the mental health stigma by sharing their own stories – raw and unfiltered. 
 
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Watch Our Turn to Talk Documentary on YouTube
Our Turn to Talk
This is My Brave
Teen Mental Health Month info and resource: 
Jay Walkers for Suicide Prevention Awareness 
FREE Guide: Dr. Cam’s 10 Pro Tips for Raising Teens
 
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Connecting With Teens When It Feels Hard with Meghan Leahy

We talk a lot on this show about how critical it is to maintain a strong relationship with our teenagers to nurture their mental, emotional, and social well-being. It is also a protective factor against anxiety, depression, drug use, and so much more. But knowing it and doing it are very different things. Many parents tell me that they want to connect with their teens, but their teens don’t want anything to do with them. So what do we do?
Today I’m joined by Meghan Leahy, a renowned parent coach and parenting columnist at the Washington Post. Meghan specializes in helping caregivers build and strengthen connections with their children, even when it feels incredibly hard.  
 
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Meghan Leahy’s parenting column in the Washington Post
FREE Guide: Dr. Cam’s 10 Pro Tips for Raising Teens
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Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others would appreciate the guidance and encouragement, please take a quick moment to rate and review. Reviews from my listeners are extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. Review on iTunes.
 
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Teen School Refusal with Dr. Jennifer Bienstock

In this episode we dive into a concerning trend: teen school refusal. Following the pandemic, school avoidance cases have doubled, escalating into a crisis that affects families across the nation. If you're worried that your teen’s increasing absences will impact their academic performance, social development, and mental well-being, you’re in the right place.
Joining us is an esteemed expert, Dr. Jennifer Bienstock. As a licensed psychologist and Director of Clinical Training at the Center for Anxiety & Behavioral Change in Rockville, MD, Dr. Bienstock is here to explain this concerning issue, and how parents can best support teenagers struggling with school avoidance.
 
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
FREE Guide: Dr. Cam’s 10 Pro Tips for Raising Teens
 
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others would appreciate the guidance and encouragement, please take a quick moment to rate and review. Reviews from my listeners are extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. Review on iTunes.
 
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Reversing Digital Disruptions with Dr. Michael Gaskell

If you are worried or fed up with your teen’s digital addiction, this episode is for you. We are all painfully aware of the impact that excessive screen time and constant connectivity has on our teen’s mental health, focus, and resiliency. However, we also know that technology is tightly woven into every aspect of our lives and has transformed the way we live, work, learn, and connect. Our job as parents is to find the balance between embracing the benefits of technology and safeguarding our children’s mental and emotional well-being. Not an easy line to walk!
In this episode, Dr. Cam is joined by school principal Dr. Michael Gaskell to discuss how we can help our teens navigate through the digital noise and reverse its impact on their wellness, focus, and resilience. 
Dr. Gaskell has written several articles on the topic of digital disruption and its effects on students. He has also discussed the importance of supporting teachers in dealing with the disruptions caused by technology and how administrators can help them in this regard. He currently writes a monthly column in ASCD Smartbrief, presents at national conferences, and has published three books: Radical Principals, Leading Schools Through Trauma, and Microstrategy Magic. 
 
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Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others would appreciate the guidance and encouragement, please take a quick moment to rate and review. Reviews from my listeners are extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. Review on iTunes.
 
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Sex Trafficking: What Parents Need to Know with Dr. John DeGarmo

To the horror of parents worldwide, human trafficking is a growing problem. According to the latest stats, 400,000 minors are trafficked annually. Those at most risk are adolescent girls who are craving attention or have low self-esteem. In this episode we talk about how to keep our daughters safe.
Dr. Cam is joined by Dr. John DeGarmo, the founder and director of The Foster Care Institute. As foster parents, he and his wife have had over 60 children come through their home. He is also an international consultant to schools, legal firms, and foster care agencies and the author of several books, including The Little Book of Foster Care Wisdom. Dr. John has appeared on Good Morning, America, CNN, NBC, and FOX.  He and his wife have received many awards, including the Good Morning America Ultimate Hero Award.
Dr. John tells us parents what we need to know about human trafficking and keeping our kids safe. 
 
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How to Calm an Angry Teen in Seconds with Douglas E. Noll

Do you dread your teen’s emotional outbursts? Is it difficult to calm them down once they get riled up? Do you want to end the exhausting fights and power struggles? Then this episode is for you.
In this episode, Dr. Cam is joined by Lawyer-Turned-Peacemaker, Douglas E. Noll. Doug is the co-founder of Prison of Peace, author of several books including De-Escalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less, and the creator of the Noll Affect Labeling System. He currently trains inmates in maximum-security prisons to be peacemakers and mediators. 
Douglas is going to teach us how to use his method with our teenagers so we can have some peace at home once and for all. 
 
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
FREE eBOOK: How to Listen Others Into Existence 
FREE Guide: Dr. Cam’s 10 Pro Tips for Raising Teens
 
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others would appreciate the guidance and encouragement, please take a quick moment to rate and review. Reviews from my listeners are extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. Review on iTunes.
 
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Supporting Nonbinary Teens with Ivy

Although there is still a lot that we need to learn, societal understanding and awareness of nonbinary identities is improving. Nonbinary often experience a gender identity that falls outside of the male/female binary and may choose to use gender-neutral pronouns such as "they/them" instead of he/him or she/her. Teens who identify as nonbinary may experiment with different gender expressions, including clothing, hairstyles, and accessories, to find what aligns with their authentic selves.
Research suggests that nonbinary teens may face higher rates of mental health challenges compared to cisgender (non-transgender) peers, including increased levels of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidality. This has been attributed to high rates of societal discrimination, misgendering, exclusion, bullying, and a lack of supportive resources.
Many nonbinary teens find solace and support within LGBTQ+ communities, online platforms, and youth organizations. They often engage in activism, advocating for their rights, gender equality, and inclusion in various aspects of society.
In this episode, Dr. Cam talks with one of these brave advocates, Ivy, a college student and artist who also happens to identify as nonbinary. Ivy shares their story, explains what it’s like to try to be their authentic self in a world that’s not always accepting, and provides some insight into how we can best support our own children who may not identify with a traditional label.
 
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Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others would appreciate the guidance and encouragement, please take a quick moment to rate and review. Reviews from my listeners are extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. Review on iTunes.
 
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Navigating Teen Gender Identity with Dr. Ronnie Gladden

Over the past decade, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of teenagers coming out as transgender. To skeptical parents, this is often perceived as a concerning trend fueled by social media and easily influenced teenage brains. To gender identity experts, it is attributed to increased awareness and understanding of gender diversity and the growing platforms that enable teens to find resources, support, and connections with others who have similar experiences. Regardless of what you believe, if your teen is questioning their identity, how you respond as a parent can have an enormous impact on their long-term mental health and well-being.
In this episode, Dr. Cam is joined by Dr. Ronnie Gladden, an international speaker, actor, and tenured college professor who speaks regularly about identity, diversity, and inclusion for K-12 schools, universities, and nonprofits. They are also the author of White Girl Within: Letters of Self-Discovery Between a Transgender and Transracial Black Man and His Inner Female.
Dr. Ronnie helps us navigate some of the complexities of gender identity and provides guidance on how to best support teens who identify as transgender.
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Risky Teen Behavior with Bobby Huntley

Teen’s are infamous for their risky behavior and questionable choices. It actually reflects healthy brain development (believe it or not). But when it comes to behavior that has serious repercussions like substance use, fighting, shoplifting, and truancy, we need to step in. Our instinct is to lay down the law and pile on the restrictions. But more often than not, that strategy backfires in the long run. So what do we do to keep our kids safe? 
In this episode, Dr. Cam is joined by Bobby Huntley, the Superintendent and Pastor of Test of Faith Ministries in Virginia Beach. He served in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools for 19 years as a Security Assistant, In School Suspension Coordinator and Dean of Students / Work Adjustment Teacher. He was also the Director of The Gentlemen's Club, an after school mentoring program for boys.
Bobby provides guidance for addressing risky teen behavior in a way that keeps them safe AND builds trust, connection, and respect.
 
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Boosting Teen Self-Esteem with Dr. Shainna

Is your teen’s self-esteem in the dumps? Do your attempts to build up their confidence often land flat? If so, this episode is for you.
In this episode, Dr. Cam is joined by Dr. Shainna, a mental health counselor and the author of The Self-Love Workbook for Teens. Dr. Shainna is passionate about destigmatizing mental health counseling and helping individuals worldwide recognize the importance of fostering mental wellness. She has been featured on ABC, CBS, NPR, the Washington Post, to name a few.
Dr. Shainna teaches us some strategies for cultivating our children’s self-worth.
 
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
The Mental Wellness Practice podcast  
The Self Love Workbook for Teens
The Self Love Workbook 
Dr. Cam’s Top 10 Secrets for Raising Teens
 
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others would appreciate the guidance and encouragement, please take a quick moment to rate and review. Reviews from my listeners are extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. Review on iTunes.
 
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If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, YouTube, Google, Spotify. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device or listen LIVE in my Private Facebook Group.