Power Your Parenting: Moms With Teens

• # 345 Is Your Daughter Ready

  Are our daughters really prepared for today’s challenges?And how can moms balance protecting their girls’ innocence with preparing them for the real world? In this episode, I talk with Kari Kampakis, bestselling author, podcaster, and mom of four daughters, about her new book Is Your Daughter Ready? 10 Ways to Empower Your Girl for an Age of New Challenges. Kari shares wisdom from decades of parenting, writing, and mentoring teen girls—covering everything from truth and integrity to friendship, discernment, and relationship red flags. Together, we explore how to help our daughters root their identity in something solid, use their power for good, and navigate social pressures with wisdom and grace. Kari also offers a heartfelt reminder to moms: give yourself grace—you’re doing better than you think. About Kari Kampakis Kari Kampakis is a nationally known author, speaker, and podcaster from Birmingham, Alabama. She’s the author of Love Her Well, More Than a Mom, 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know, Liked, and her newest release, Is Your Daughter Ready? Her books have been used widely in small groups and churches across the country. Kari’s writing has been featured in outlets like The Huffington Post and TODAY Parents. She’s passionate about helping moms and daughters grow in faith, confidence, and healthy connection. Three Takeaways Root identity early: Plant deep truths about who your daughter is before the world defines her. Model discernment: Teach her to trust her gut, spot red flags, and set boundaries with grace. Protect relationships: Don’t label people as toxic—address behaviors, avoid burning bridges, and remember that kindness wins long-term. Learn more at karikampakis.com Follow at https://www.instagram.com/karikampakis/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• # 344 The Loneliness Epidemic in Teens: What Moms Can Do

  Have you noticed your teen spending more time online but seeming more withdrawn in real life?Are you wondering if what your teen is experiencing is normal teenage behavior—or signs of something deeper, like loneliness? In this powerful episode, we dive into The Loneliness Epidemic in Teens. Research shows that about half of adolescents today report feeling lonely—and many experience this at least once a week. Our guest, Lucy Rose, founder and leader of The Cost of Loneliness Project, shares eye-opening insights on what chronic loneliness looks like, how it differs from normal teenage growing pains, and why it has skyrocketed since COVID. Together, we explore practical ways moms can recognize signs of loneliness, start compassionate conversations, and help their teens rebuild real-life connections in an age dominated by screens. Guest Bio: Lucy Rose is the founder and leader of The Cost of Loneliness Project. A global relationship builder and award-winning expert in pharmaceutical health strategy, regulatory affairs, and communications, Lucy is committed to raising awareness about the personal, societal, and economic costs of loneliness. Through her work, she helps individuals, families, and communities create a culture of connectedness that fosters healthier, longer, and happier lives. Three Takeaways: Loneliness is not just sadness—it’s a lack of connection. Chronic loneliness impacts physical and emotional health, and it’s on the rise among teens. Connection is a muscle. Teens who spend most of their social time online may forget how to initiate or maintain real-life friendships—but those skills can be relearned. Model connection at home. Create small family rituals, put down the screens during meals, and show your teen that relationships take intention, empathy, and time. Find out more at: https://www.thecostofloneliness.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• #343 Free Play, Less Stress

  What if boredom is the birthplace of your teen’s creativity—and your sanity? And what if your own playfulness is the most powerful “parenting tool” you’re not using? In this episode, internationally recognized play designer and RISD professor Cas Holman (creator of the RIGAMAJIG and author of Playful) shows us why free play—play that’s freely chosen, personally directed, and intrinsically motivated—is essential for teens and adults. We talk about releasing judgment, embracing possibility, and reframing success (hint: it’s not the perfect selfie at the summit). Cas explains why boredom matters, how “consuming” play (scrolling) differs from “generative” play (making), and offers practical ways moms can invite more low-pressure play into everyday life—without becoming their teen’s cruise director. Guest bio paragraph:Cas Holman is an internationally recognized designer, educator, and play advocate. A longtime professor at the Rhode Island School of Design, Cas created RIGAMAJIG, a large-scale building kit used in thousands of schools and museums, and is featured on Netflix’s Abstract: The Art of Design. Their new book, Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connection, and Sparks Creativity, distills two decades of designing for play, leading workshops at places like Google, Disney, and Nike, and collaborating with child-development experts to help all of us—kids, teens, and adults—reconnect with true play. Three takeaways: Boredom is productive. Letting teens linger in boredom helps them notice what they actually need and choose self-directed, creative action. Reframe success. Swap “Did we reach the top?” for “Did we connect?”—and watch stress melt while curiosity rises. Model, don’t manufacture. You don’t need to entertain your teen; be playful yourself. Release judgment, embrace possibility, and let “good enough” be great. Learn more at: https://casholman.com/ Follow at https://www.instagram.com/casholman/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• # 342 Calm Teenage Anxiety

  When your teen snaps or shuts down, could anxiety be hiding underneath?What can you do—today—to support them without “fixing” them? Colleen talks with therapist and author Sophia Vale Galano, LCSW about recognizing teen anxiety (including surprising signs like irritability and anger), the biological and cultural drivers (from hormones to social media and admissions pressure), and what actually helps at home. They unpack why quick fixes backfire, how to communicate about hard topics, and ways to modify expectations, build self-esteem, and set boundaries over blanket restrictions (e.g., muting or curating feeds instead of banning apps). Sophia shares practical scripts, “what to say/what to avoid,” and mom-first strategies like leading by example and using preventive care long before a crisis. Sophia Vale Galano is a licensed clinical social worker serving teens and adults in California. With experience across residential, inpatient, outpatient, and school settings, she specializes in adolescent anxiety and parent coaching. Her new book, Calming Teenage Anxiety, gives parents concrete tools and phrases to support anxious teens with clarity and compassion. Three takeaways: Listen before you fix. Validation opens the door; advice can slam it shut. Boundaries beat restrictions. Curate tech (mute/restrict/positive follows) rather than blanket bans to protect self-esteem and trust. Model what you want to see. Your therapy, rest, limits, and self-care quietly teach your teen how to manage anxiety. Learn more at: https://sophiagalano.com/book/ Follow at: https://sophiagalano.com/book/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• #341 Help Teens Transform Stress into Growth

  Do you ever feel like stress is running your life? And are you worried about how stress is affecting your teen’s confidence and resilience? In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, Colleen O’Grady welcomes stress expert Dr. Rebecca Heiss, author of Springboard: Transform Stress to Work for You. Dr. Heiss shares her powerful, research-backed approach to using stress as a source of energy and growth rather than something to avoid or suppress. She explains why trying to “calm down” often backfires, why stress can actually be a sign of meaning and purpose, and how parents can model healthier responses to stress for their kids. With humor, science, and practical tools, Dr. Heiss breaks down her Fear Less Stress Formula—helping moms and teens recognize stress, reframe it as an adventure instead of an ordeal, and take small steps forward instead of freezing or avoiding. She also highlights how storytelling, mindset shifts, and psychological safety at home can empower both parents and teens to thrive. Stress isn’t the enemy—it’s energy your body gives you to rise to challenges. Stories shape outcomes—choose the one that best serves you and your teen. Model the response you want—your emotional tone sets the “symphony” at home. Find out more at: https://rebeccaheiss.com Follow on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/drrebeccaheiss/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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