Studies show parenting with traditional methods of punishment just doesn't work. So what are parents to do when their teen displays unacceptable behavior, like lying? Episode host Robin Friend, Teen Brain Trust Co-Creator and Lead Course Designer, dives into what parents can do instead that really works ..read more

Teens Samantha and Kyla are back to share everything they want parents and younger teens to know about starting the college application process, from the dreaded personal essay to Admissions anxiety. Stay tuned because we'll be following them on their college application journey in upcoming episodes! Listen to their previous episode, Two Teens on Anxiety, Pressure, and What They Want All Parents to Know, here: https://pod.link/1610561919/episode/8d9ea073b91cc1d59d6a627819272466  Also! Parents! Want your teen to confide in you about their college application anxiet ..read more

When you tell someone you have a teen, they never say, "Oh, that's a fun age." We're here to change the pervasively cynical attitude about adolescence for parents, educators, and anyone else who spends time with a teen.   "We" is the team behind Teen Brain Trust, made up of parenting-science experts (including parents!) dedicated to the empowerment of teens and preteens. HopePunk Parenting podcast hosts include Mya Dunlop, Founder/CEO and mom of three adolescent boys, Robin Friend, Co-Creator and Lead Course Designer, and more super-interesting guests yet to come ..read more

Content warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. The advice shared in this episode is not a substitute for treatment. In Teen Brain Trust's 4-part series on teen mental health, therapist Dr. Dana Dorfman and mom of three Mya Dunlop unpack the current teen mental health crisis. In episode two, they discuss the difference between self-harm and suicide, plus how parents can talk about and support a teen who's self-harming.   Resources cited in this series: 1. Dr. Dorfman's vid ..read more

Host and mom of three adolescent boys Mya Dunlop has a message for all parents: we have to rethink failure, for our kids and ourselves. BONUS! Right now, all podcast listeners get free access to Teen Brain Trust's convenient online parenting science courses plus access to our private community of parents. Visit our site to learn more, then use the code PODCAST at checkout to get your first month for free: https://bit.ly/3KnSzOi ..read more

Samantha and Kyla are back for the final episode in our series following their college application and admissions journey! The results are in (for the most part) and they each made a decision where they’ll start college this fall. We get into the rollercoaster of emotions, how they made the decision, and of course, we share instantly applicable information and tips for parents and their teens who are considering college.  Listen to Part 1 - Starting the College Application Process: https://pod.link/1610561919/episode/6653c224e72230794ccf6be1e07bde78  Part 2 - Early Dec ..read more

Host Mya Dunlop, the CEO and Founder of Teen Brain Trust, shares the story of how a conversation with her oldest son who was struggling during his first year in college went totally off the rails. But thanks to a friend's insight into microinvalidation, she course-corrected and learned a parenting lesson in the process.  ..read more

Parents with teens heading off to college in the fall: this episode is for you. Host Mya Dunlop chats with Joline, a student athlete who's finishing up her freshman year. She reflects on the stress and excitement of starting college, from the challenge of making friends to balancing school and training. Of course, they dive into how parents and teens can stay connected and how we can help our kid leave the the nest with confidence... But wait, we have even more more free resources! Download our free cheat sheet, A Guide to Helping You ..read more

This longer-than usual conversation with parenthood guide and mom of four Barb Buckner Suárez is a must-listen for both new parents and those of us raising teens! Host Mya and Barb get into matrescence, co-regulation and dis-regulation, and how navigating adolescence doesn't get easier with each kid. Visit Barb's site here: https://bbsuarez.com/ and follow her on Instagram here too @bbucknersuarez Tap into Teen Brain Trust's resources that support parents of teens here: https://teenbraintrust.com/  ..read more

Research incontrovertibly shows that across the globe, teens are gonna party... And probably drink alcohol, too. In this episode, host Mya Dunlop, Teen Brain Trust CEO/Founder and mom of three adolescent boys, explores why teens' developing brains seek out partying in particular. Plus, she dives into a few ways parents can actually help their kid healthy manage partying without looking like hypocrites or provoking their teen to lie about it ..read more