Power Your Parenting: Moms With Teens

Written by: Colleen O'Grady LPC LMFT author speaker & C-Suite Radio
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  • Summary

  • 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.
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Children's Audiobooks Economics Management & Leadership
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Episodes
  • # 308 Teen Depression Gone Viral

    # 308 Teen Depression Gone Viral
    Feb 10 2025
    Are you worried about whether your teen is just moody or actually struggling with depression? Do you wonder how much of their emotional ups and downs are connected to digital media? In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, host Colleen O’Grady sits down with Dr. Meredith Gansner, a child psychiatrist and researcher, to discuss the rising rates of teen depression in the digital age. Together, they explore how social media, online interactions, and excessive screen time contribute to adolescent mental health struggles. Dr. Gansner shares insights from her research and her new book, Teen Depression Gone Viral, highlighting how parents can recognize signs of depression, differentiate between typical teen emotions and clinical concerns, and take proactive steps to support their child’s well-being. They also tackle the difficult topic of suicidal ideation, how parents can navigate these conversations, and the importance of maintaining open communication while setting digital boundaries. Dr. Meredith Gansner is an instructor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and attending child psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital. After completing medical school at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, she completed her psychiatry residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a fellowship in child psychiatry at Cambridge Health Alliance. Her research explores high-risk digital media use in adolescents and managing high-risk digital media habits. She is an active member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry media committee, has written articles about mental health and digital media for The Psychiatric Times,The Boston Globe, and Slate magazine. Key takeaways from this conversation include the importance of observing your teen’s level of functioning rather than just their emotions, understanding that social media is not inherently harmful but can be risky without guidance, and remembering that parents need support too—caring for yourself helps you better support your teen. With expert advice and practical strategies, this episode empowers moms to feel more prepared to guide their teens through the challenges of growing up in a digital world. Learn more about Dr. Gansner at https://www.childrenshospital.org/directory/meredith-gansner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • #307 Stop Arguing for Good

    #307 Stop Arguing for Good
    Feb 3 2025
    Are you tired of daily arguments with your teen? Do you feel like no matter what approach you take—being firm or being gentle—nothing seems to work? In this episode of Power Your Parenting – Moms with Teens, Colleen O’Grady welcomes Dr. Paul Sunseri a seasoned family therapist and author of Gentle Parenting Reimagined: How to Make It Work with Oppositional and Defiant Kids. Together, they dive into the challenges of parenting strong-willed teens and explore why traditional parenting strategies often fall short with oppositional kids. Dr. Sunseri shares his journey of working with high-conflict families, uncovering what truly works when it comes to setting limits, reducing arguments, and fostering better communication. Paul Sunseri, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist and father of four who treats children and adolescents with serious mental health conditions. He is the developer of Intensive Family-Focused Therapy (myIFFT.org), a highly effective form of family-based mental health care. One of the key insights from this conversation is the importance of clarity, consistency, and disengagement in parenting. Dr. Sinceri explains that parents often get trapped in unnecessary arguments because teens use red herrings—distractions and emotional outbursts—to steer the conversation away from responsibilities. He emphasizes that arguing with a teen is never productive and that parents should focus on setting clear expectations without engaging in power struggles. Instead of negotiating endlessly, parents should hold firm boundaries and use practical consequences, such as limiting screen time, until responsibilities are met. Disengagement is another crucial strategy—when a teen escalates, staying calm and walking away removes the emotional fuel that drives the conflict, ultimately leading to fewer power struggles. Three Key Takeaways: Stop engaging in arguments: The moment a conversation turns into a debate or escalates into yelling, step back. Arguments require two participants—when you refuse to engage, the conflict loses its power. Use structured consequences effectively: Screens and privileges should be earned, not given freely. By tying them to responsibilities like homework and chores, teens learn accountability without constant battles. Disengage from emotional explosions: Instead of reacting to tantrums or verbal outbursts, remain calm, state your boundary, and walk away. Over time, this teaches teens self-regulation and reduces dramatic confrontations. By shifting their approach, parents can create a more peaceful home environment, helping their teens develop responsibility while maintaining a loving connection. Follow at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-sunseri-psy-d-54033b7/ Learn more about Dr. Sunseri and his services, Go to his website at https://www.myiift.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • # 306 Build Trust with Your Teen

    # 306 Build Trust with Your Teen
    Jan 27 2025
    Are you struggling to connect with your teen amidst the chaos of modern parenting? Do you feel like the constant demands of academics, extracurriculars, and social media have created a wall between you and your child? If so, this episode of Power Your Parenting: Mom's the Teen Podcast with Colleen O’Grady and guest Susan Caso offers invaluable insights into building trust and fostering meaningful relationships with your teen. In this episode, Colleen and Susan explore the challenges of parenting in today’s high-pressure world and emphasize the importance of creating emotional safety and connectedness at home. They discuss how critical it is for teens to feel a sense of belonging and trust in their parents, not just as enforcers of rules but as compassionate guides who see and accept them for who they are. The conversation highlights the difference between addressing behavior and unconditionally accepting your child as a person. The hosts also delve into the concept of “secure attachment,” which can be nurtured through intentional listening, emotional regulation, and moments of true connection—even in the midst of life’s busyness. Through relatable examples and practical advice, the podcast equips parents to create an environment where their teens feel safe to be open and transparent. Susan Caso, MA, LPC, helps people find the feeling of connectedness that creates heartfelt interactions. A sought-after therapist, consultant, and speaker with over twenty years in clinical practice, Susan has helped parents, teens, couples, and families create emotional safety to build stronger relationships. Susan holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and Counselor Education from the University of Colorado. Susan’s work has been featured in media outlets such as Mother.ly, andThe Hollywood Reporter. She is the author of the Parent -Teen Connection: How to Build Lifelong Family Relationships. Here are three powerful takeaways from the episode: Shift from judgment to acceptance: Teens thrive when they know their parents accept them unconditionally, even when their behavior falls short. Separating the person from the behavior allows you to address issues without damaging the relationship. Listen to understand, not to fix: When teens come to you with concerns, resist the urge to jump straight into problem-solving. Instead, focus on listening, validating their emotions, and empathizing with their experience to build trust and connection. Model emotional regulation and introspection: Your ability to handle stress and reflect on your emotions directly impacts your teen. By staying calm and self-aware, you create a safe space where your teen feels encouraged to share and grow. This episode is packed with actionable advice for navigating the ups and downs of parenting teens while fostering lifelong connections. Find out more at susancaso.com Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/susan.caso/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 mins

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