Challenging Teenage Sons

Is your teenage son addicted to screens, shutting you out, or refusing to step up? You're not a bad parent. You're missing a method.
In this first episode of a special series for the Challenging Teenage Sons podcast, Dr. Mark Schillinger, founder of the Young Men's Ultimate Weekend and a family mentor with over 25 years of experience, reveals the single piece most families are missing when it comes to raising responsible, resilient teenage sons.
You'll discover why good instincts aren't enough, and why having a clear roadmap changes everything.
In this episode:
Why 90% of struggling teenage sons are actually good kids who are simply stuck
The R.I.G.H.T. Way Method: the 5 core virtues that become your family's compass (Respect, Intelligence, Grace, Humor, True)
The difference between punishing your son and giving consequences that actually teach
Why technology is pulling families apart, and what to do about it
The 12 destinations on the R.I.G.H.T. Way Method to Family Unity Roadmap, from real communication to launching your son into adulthood
How Dr. Mark's own journey with his son Gabe led to the creation of the Young Men's Ultimate Weekend
If you're tired of yelling, nagging, repeating yourself, and watching your relationship with your son slowly erode, this episode is your starting point.
*** Resources Mentioned ***
🎯 Want the R.I.G.H.T. Way Method to Family Unity Roadmap? Email Dr. Mark directly at info@challengingteenagesons.com and he'll send it to you personally.
🏕️ Learn about the Young Men's Ultimate Weekend (a rite-of-passage adventure camp for young men ages 13–20): go.ymuw.org
For a complimentary 20-minute consultation with Dr. Mark or for more information about his parent coaching and mentoring young men, go to https://cts.drmarkmentor.com/
 
*** About Dr. Mark Schillinger ***
Dr. Mark Schillinger's work has been featured on the CNN show "This is Life with Lisa Ling." These videos are designed to help parents more effectively "challenge" or motivate their teenage sons to become more responsible and resilient. These videos offer straightforward advice so parents can minimize conflict and maximize cooperation with their sons – especially those young men who are distracted by their digital devices. For more information, visit https://www.challengingteenagesons.com

In this episode, Dr. Mark Schillinger sits down with six Young Men's Ultimate Weekend (YMUW) graduates, ranging in age from high school to their early 30s, to talk honestly about who they were before the weekend, what was hard to face about themselves while they were there, and how their lives shifted after they graduated.
 The YMUW grads discuss:
What teen boys are actually afraid of when they think about growing up 
Why the hardest part of YMUW isn't physical, it's emotional 
How the program changed parent-son relationships, sometimes dramatically 
What a real rite of passage does that therapy alone often can't 
Why the obstacle course, the sweat lodge, and even the joke circles matter more than they sound.
If you're a parent wondering whether your son is ready for adulthood, or worried he's not, this conversation will hit close to home.
 If you're a young man sitting on the fence about YMUW, listen to the guys who were exactly where you are.
ℹ️ Learn More about the Young Men's Ultimate Weekend, a Modern Day Rite-of-Passage
🔥Registration Open for June 11-14, 2026 and August 21-23, 2026 | https://go.ymuw.org/
*** More Resources ***
On-demand and live, online workshops for teenagers and young men are available here: https://cts.drmarkmentor.com/workshops
For a complimentary 20-minute consultation with Dr. Mark or for more information about his parent coaching and mentoring young men, go to https://cts.drmarkmentor.com/
*** About Dr. Mark Schillinger ***
Dr. Mark Schillinger's work has been featured on the CNN show "This is Life with Lisa Ling." These videos are designed to help parents more effectively "challenge" or motivate their teenage sons to become more responsible and resilient. These videos offer straightforward advice so parents can minimize conflict and maximize cooperation with their sons – especially those young men who are distracted by their digital devices. For more information, visit https://www.challengingteenagesons.com
*** Connect with Dr. Mark ***
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/challenging.teenage.sons
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/challengingteenagesons/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mark-schillinger-family-mentor-and-community-leader-735585a/

In this powerful conclusion to our consequences series, Dr. Mark Schillinger reveals the deeper purpose behind positive discipline. 
It's not just about changing your son's behavior. It's about being able to respect yourself as a parent for the rest of your life.
*** Resources Mentioned ***
Young Men's Ultimate Weekend  ⁨@YMUWorg⁩   Rite of passage program for boys ages 13-20 https://ymuw.org
 
*** More Resources ***
On-demand and live, online workshops for teenagers and young men are available here: https://cts.drmarkmentor.com/workshops
For a complimentary 20-minute consultation with Dr. Mark or for more information about his parent coaching and mentoring young men, go to https://cts.drmarkmentor.com/
*** About Dr. Mark Schillinger ***
Dr. Mark Schillinger's work has been featured on the CNN show "This is Life with Lisa Ling." These videos are designed to help parents more effectively "challenge" or motivate their teenage sons to become more responsible and resilient. These videos offer straightforward advice so parents can minimize conflict and maximize cooperation with their sons – especially those young men who are distracted by their digital devices. For more information, visit https://www.challengingteenagesons.com
*** Connect with Dr. Mark ***
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/challenging.teenage.sons
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/challengingteenagesons/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mark-schillinger-family-mentor-and-community-leader-735585a/

Does your teenager constantly tell you "it's not fair"? Do you find yourself offering bigger and bigger rewards just to get them to take out the garbage?
In this episode, Dr. Mark Schillinger breaks down why bribes and rewards actually backfire with teens, and shares the mentoring approach that builds real responsibility and self-respect. You'll learn how to stop negotiating with your "house lawyer" and start raising a young person who takes ownership of their life. 
 
What You'll Learn in This Episode
Why "it's not fair" is actually a learning opportunity, not a problem to solve
The difference between extrinsic rewards (bribes) and intrinsic motivation
How to use the "Both/And" principle when your teen does something right AND wrong
Why most of life is unfair or neutral, and how to prepare your teen for this reality
The 5 C's of calm, confident communication that won't get derailed
 
Resources Mentioned
Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn
Young Men's Ultimate Weekend https://ymuw.org
 
More Resources
On-demand and live, online workshops for teenagers and young men are available here: https://cts.drmarkmentor.com/workshops
Free Parents' Support Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/markstipsforparents
For a complimentary 20-minute consultation with Dr. Mark or for more information about his parent coaching and mentoring young men, go to https://cts.drmarkmentor.com
 
About Dr. Mark Schillinger
Dr. Mark Schillinger's work has been featured on the CNN show "This is Life with Lisa Ling." These videos are designed to help parents more effectively "challenge" or motivate their teenage sons to become more responsible and resilient. These videos offer straightforward advice so parents can minimize conflict and maximize cooperation with their sons – especially those young men who are distracted by their digital devices. For more information, visit https://www.challengingteenagesons.com
 
Connect with Dr. Mark
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/challenging.teenage.sons 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/challengingteenagesons/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mark-schillinger-family-mentor-and-community-leader-735585a/

Dr. Mark Schillinger breaks down Australia's groundbreaking decision to ban social media for children under 16 and shares why this matters for parents everywhere, even if your country hasn't passed similar laws.
Discover the brain science behind teenage phone addiction, why your teen struggles to self-regulate their screen time, and Dr. Mark's practical approach to starting the conversation about device limits in your home. Plus, learn the difference between consequences and punishment when it comes to enforcing new boundaries. 
 
Resources 
On-demand and live, online workshops for teenagers and young men are available here: https://cts.drmarkmentor.com/workshops
For a complimentary 20-minute consultation with Dr. Mark or for more information about his parent coaching and mentoring young men, go to https://cts.drmarkmentor.com
 
About Dr. Mark Schillinger 
Dr. Mark Schillinger's work has been featured on the CNN show "This is Life with Lisa Ling." These videos are designed to help parents more effectively "challenge" or motivate their teenage sons to become more responsible and resilient. These videos offer straightforward advice so parents can minimize conflict and maximize cooperation with their sons – especially those young men who are distracted by their digital devices. For more information, visit https://www.challengingteenagesons.com
 
Connect with Dr. Mark
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/challenging.teenage.sons
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/challengingteenagesons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mark-schillinger-family-mentor-and-community-leader-735585a/