Power Your Parenting: Moms With Teens

• # 312 Happy, Healthy, Confident Teens

  Are you struggling to guide your teen through the ups and downs of adolescence? Do you wish they could be more confident, resilient, and self-motivated in facing life’s challenges? In this episode of Power Your Parenting – Moms with Teens, host Colleen O’Grady sits down with Dr. Ran Anbar, author of The Life Guide for Teens: Harnessing Your Inner Power to Be Healthy, Happy, and Confident. Dr. Anbar shares practical strategies to help teens take control of their emotions, shift their mindset, and build resilience. Through years of counseling thousands of adolescents, he’s discovered that small changes—like the words teens use, their ability to visualize success, and how they manage fear—can lead to profound growth. He also discusses the impact of sleep, social media, and self-talk on teen well-being, offering parents tools to support their children in developing independence and emotional strength. Ran D. Anbar, MD, FAAP, is board certified in both pediatric pulmonology and general pediatrics. He offers counseling and hypnosis services at Center Point Medicine in La Jolla, California, and in Syracuse, New York. Dr. Anbar is the author of the acclaimed Changing Children’s Lives with Hypnosis: A Journey to the Center (Rowman & Littlefield, 2021), as well as a regular columnist for Psychology Today Online. Dr. Anbar is the founder of Center Point Medicine, serving the mission of making mental health care more accessible for children. Here are three key takeaways from the conversation: First, the words we use—both as parents and teens—shape our reality. Encouraging positive language and shifting from “I can’t” to “I will” can transform confidence and motivation. Second, learning to manage emotions and fears is a crucial skill. Rather than dismissing fears, parents can help their teens face them with imaginative solutions, empowering them to handle stress more effectively. Lastly, giving teens space to make mistakes is essential. Overparenting, whether through micromanaging or bulldozing obstacles, can hinder their ability to navigate life’s challenges. Instead, parents should transition from being enforcers to supporters, allowing teens to develop problem-solving skills that will serve them well into adulthood. Learn more at: https://www.centerpointmedicine.com/ Follow on https://www.linkedin.com/in/ran-anbar-246b1829/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• # 311 What is Conscious Parenting?

  Do you find yourself caught in constant battles with your teen, unsure of how to truly connect? Have you ever wondered how your own emotions and reactions shape your relationship with your child? In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, Colleen O’Grady speaks with transformational coach Anne Marie Chereso about the power of conscious parenting. They explore how self-awareness is the foundation for authentic connection and why parenting from a place of presence—not fear—can help reduce drama and conflict. Anne Marie shares her personal experiences navigating parenting challenges and offers insight into how our own unresolved emotions can affect the way we interact with our children. Through mindfulness, self-reflection, and a commitment to emotional regulation, moms can transform their relationships by fostering deeper understanding and trust. Author, Meditation Teacher, and Transformational Coach, Annmarie Chereso empowers parents, children and families to discover authentic happiness and true success. With over two decades of expertise, Annmarie has trained educators, students, and parents globally through online courses, coaching, speaking engagements, workshops, and retreats. She's collaborated with renowned leaders including Dr. Shefali Tsabary and The Conscious Leadership Group. This episode highlights three key takeaways for moms. First, true connection with your teen starts with self-awareness—when you understand your own emotional triggers, you can respond rather than react. Second, resisting the urge to control your teen’s experience and instead acting as a compassionate witness allows them to navigate challenges while feeling supported. Lastly, making space for daily joy, even in small ways, helps shift the energy in your home and fosters a more positive parent-child dynamic. By embracing conscious parenting, moms can create a calmer, more connected relationship with their teens. Learn more at https://annmariechereso.me/ Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/annmariechereso/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• #310 "I Hate Myself" Turning Self-Hatred into Self-Love

  Have you ever noticed your teen being overly critical of themselves, no matter how much reassurance you offer? In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, host Colleen O’Grady sits down with Dr. Blaise Aguirre, a leading psychiatrist and expert in adolescent mental health. Together, they dive into the complex and often hidden struggle of teen self-hatred. Dr. Aguirre shares how self-hatred differs from temporary self-doubt, often becoming deeply ingrained in sensitive teens. He discusses how it can lead to self-destructive behaviors, the connection between sensitivity and self-worth, and why traditional approaches—like simply telling a child they are loved—often fall short. Instead, he highlights the power of deep listening, validation, and helping teens recognize and embrace their unique strengths. Our guest Dr. Blaise Aguire is the author of I Hate Myself: Overcome Self-Hatred and Realize Why You're Wrong About You. Dr. Blaise Aguirre, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Founding Medical Director of McLean Hospital's adolescent dialectical behavior therapy program. This episode offers three key takeaways for moms of teens. First, listening without immediately trying to fix or dismiss a teen’s emotions is one of the most powerful tools for connection. Second, acknowledging and valuing a teen’s personal interests—rather than comparing them to siblings or societal expectations—helps foster self-acceptance. Lastly, small acts of self-compassion, such as recognizing personal strengths and moments of kindness, can gradually help shift a teen’s self-perception from criticism to self-love. Dr. Aguirre’s insights remind parents that while self-hatred is difficult to tackle, with patience, understanding, and the right support, teens can learn to see themselves with greater kindness and confidence. Find out more at 3east.org Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/blaisemd/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• # 309 Deep Waters of Motherhood

  Have you ever felt powerless watching your child face mean girl drama or generational challenges? In this episode, Colleen O’Grady sits down with New York Times bestselling author Melanie Shankle to discuss the deep waters of motherhood, particularly the struggles of raising teenage daughters. Melanie shares her journey of uncovering generational patterns, healing from past wounds, and guiding her daughter through the painful reality of mean girl culture. As a mother, she discovered that unresolved personal struggles can impact parenting, making it crucial to confront our own "dragons." Through Caroline’s experiences, they discuss the importance of self-advocacy, resilience, and the powerful role of a mother’s support in shaping a teen’s confidence and emotional health. Melanie Shankle is a three-time New York Times bestselling author of Here Be Dragons, Sparkly Green Earrings, The Antelope in the Living Room, and Nobody’s Cuter Than You. She speaks at events nationwide and co-hosts the wildly popular podcast, The Big Boo Cast. Melanie and her husband, Perry, live in San Antonio, Texas, and are the parents of Caroline. Three key takeaways from this conversation: First, healing from personal wounds is essential to breaking unhealthy cycles and equipping children with the emotional strength they need. Second, mean girl dynamics can be intense, but teaching teens to set boundaries and stand up for themselves fosters resilience and self-respect. Lastly, moms play a crucial role in helping teens process their experiences by listening, validating their feelings, and guiding them toward positive relationships. Above all, trust that the challenges teens face today can shape them into stronger, more compassionate individuals in the future. Learn more at: https://thebigmamablog.com/ Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/melanieshankle/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• # 308 Teen Depression Gone Viral

  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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