Power Your Parenting: Moms With Teens

Are you wondering if your teen is truly ready for college? Are you stressed about the admissions process, student debt, or helping your teen find their path? You’re not alone—and this episode is here to help.

In this inspiring and practical episode, Colleen interviews Shellee Howard, founder and CEO of College Ready. Shellee shares how her son’s big dream of going to Harvard launched her on a mission to help families get their teens into best-fit colleges—without going into debt. Drawing from both personal experience and years of expert consulting, Shellee explains what “college ready” really means (hint: it’s more about life skills than test scores). The conversation dives into passion projects, financial strategy, mindset shifts, and how to help your teen feel confident, not crushed, by the college admissions process.

Shellee Howard is the Founder and CEO of College Ready and CR Future Now, a Certified Independent College Strategist, and a best-selling author. A member of HECA and SOFA, she helps students gain admission to their best-fit colleges—often debt-free.

A sought-after speaker and consultant, Shellee has guided hundreds of students worldwide to top universities, ensuring they graduate debt-free and land jobs they love.

One key takeaway? Help your teen articulate their own greatness. They often don’t know how to express what they’ve accomplished.

Second, college readiness begins long before senior year—it’s about nurturing values, interests, and self-awareness.

And third, parents can support without pushing by being strategic advocates who see the bigger picture. Whether your teen is a high-achiever or still figuring things out, this episode will give you tools to guide them forward.

Learn more at: https://collegereadyplan.com/

Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/collegereadyplan/

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Are you feeling unsure about how to guide your teen in the world of artificial intelligence? Have you wondered what your child is really doing with AI and how it’s shaping their digital and emotional world?

In this timely and eye-opening episode, I talk with Teodora Pavkovic, Director of Wellbeing at Linewize and a global thought leader in digital wellness. We explore the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and how it’s showing up in your teen’s daily life—from schoolwork to entertainment to emotionally intimate chatbot relationships. Teodora shares how character-based bots are not just tools for creativity but are becoming substitutes for real connection, offering nonjudgmental, always-available companionship that teens may prefer over human relationships. We also dig into how AI can help or hinder development, and why curiosity, open conversations, and family tech agreements are more critical now than ever.

Teodora Pavkovic is the Director of Wellbeing at Linewize, where she leverages her decade-plus of experience as a youth psychologist, parenting coach and digital wellness practitioner to provide guidance and advice to parents, teachers and school administrators on topics concerning mental health, responsible and safe use of technology, tech ethics, parenting in the digital age and child development. A prominent figure in the global digital wellness community, Pavkovic is a member of both the American and British psychological associations, co-chair of Fairplay’s (formerly Campaign For a Commercial-Free Childhood) parenting professionals’ group and an advisory board member of
several educational and mental health organizations.

Here are three key takeaways from this conversation:

1. Awareness before fear. Many parents underestimate how much their kids are already engaging with AI, often in emotionally meaningful ways. Curiosity—not control—is your most powerful parenting tool when it comes to understanding and guiding their AI use.

2. AI is a new kind of “relationship.” Teens are forming connections with AI bots that feel empathic, safe, and nonjudgmental. This raises critical questions about how to maintain real-world emotional and social development.

3. Confidence is key—for both parent and teen. Parents don’t need to be tech experts, but they do need to be engaged. When both you and your teen feel confident and supported, you’re more equipped to set healthy digital boundaries and ensure AI serves your family’s wellbeing—not the other way around.

   Learn more at:

   https://www.teopcoaching.com/

   https://www.linewize.com/

   Follow at:

   https://www.instagram.com/psycoachtp/

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Have you ever felt anxious or even judged when trying to teach your teen about money? Are you wondering how to raise a teen who values true wealth—not just material possessions?

In this powerful episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, Colleen welcomes Elizabeth Husserl, financial advisor and author of The Power of Enough, for a refreshing conversation about helping teens develop a healthy relationship with money. Elizabeth shares how our own relationship with money—whether rooted in scarcity, comparison, or abundance—directly shapes how our teens view financial wellbeing. Instead of chasing endless “more,” Elizabeth encourages teaching teens about true wealth: feeling satisfied, connected, purposeful, and free. Together, they explore the importance of the satiation paradigm and embodying wealth in everyday life, not just accumulating money. Practical tools like the “Wealth Mandala” exercise help families assess areas like freedom, leisure, belonging, and purpose, offering a more holistic way to talk to teens about success and happiness.

Elizabeth Husserl is a registered investment advisor
representative, financial advisor, and cofounder of Peak360 Wealth Management, a boutique wealth planning firm. She holds a BS in economics from Tulane University and an MA in East-West psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, where she has also taught as an adjunct professor. Her experience spans nonprofit work throughout the Americas, and she is a highly sought-after speaker, having led workshops at major tech companies, including Airbnb, Unity, and Google. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and daughter. 

Key Takeaways:

• Money and wealth are different. Money is a tool for transactions, but real wealth is a deeper, embodied experience of wellbeing—connection, purpose, freedom, and belonging.

• Teens need to be part of financial conversations. Including them in family money decisions helps them understand choices, responsibilities, and builds entrepreneurial thinking.

• Teaching satiation builds resilience. Encouraging teens to recognize what truly satisfies them—rather than chasing endless more—builds confidence, fulfillment, and a lifelong healthy relationship with money.

  Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/elizabethhusserl/

  Learn more about Elizabeth at https://elizabethhusserl.com/

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Are you worried your teen doubts themselves no matter how hard they work? Do they brush off compliments or beat themselves up when things don’t go perfectly?

In this powerful episode, Dr. Lisa Orbé-Austin, psychologist and author of Your Child’s Greatness, joins Colleen to explore how imposter syndrome shows up in teens—and how parents can help prevent it. Lisa shares how imposter syndrome stems from not internalizing success, overvaluing others, and defaulting to perfectionism. Drawing from personal stories—including her daughter’s fencing journey—Lisa highlights the importance of embracing failure, savoring small wins, and teaching your child to develop a growth mindset. You’ll hear heartfelt insights about helping your child build resilience and why internalizing success matters just as much as achieving it.

Dr. Lisa Orbé-Austin is a licensed psychologist and executive coach. She earned her doctorate in counseling psychology from Columbia University. Her expertise on impostor syndrome is regularly sought by the media, and she has appeared in outlets such as the

Financial Times, the TODAY show, Good Morning America, Forbes, HuffPost, Refinery29, and more. Dr. Orbé-Austin has been an invited speaker at various national conferences. Her first book, Own Your Greatness: Overcome Impostor Syndrome, Beat Self-Doubt, and Succeed in Life (Ulysses Press, 2020) coauthored with her partner, Dr. Richard Orbé-Austin, was a finalist for the Foreword INDIES Book Award. Her second book, Your Unstoppable Greatness: Break Free of Impostor Syndrome, Cultivate Your Agency, and Achieve Your Ultimate Career Goals H(Ulysses Press, 2022) is focused on dealing with the systemic dynamics that keep impostor syndrome in place and how to directly combat those dynamics.

Here are three inspiring takeaways from this conversation:

1. Failure is not the enemy—it’s the classroom. Helping your teen reframe failure as part of the growth process builds resilience and self-belief. Let them fail safely, and support their emotional regulation afterward.
2. Celebrate the small wins. Whether it’s improving by one point or making it through a tough day, acknowledging progress helps your teen internalize success and develop confidence in their abilities.
3. Model and nurture self-worth. Teens learn by watching. When you savor your own wins and embrace your imperfections, you give your child permission to do the same—and combat imposter syndrome from the inside out.

Learn more at https://www.dynamictransitionsllp.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drorbeaustin/

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Do your mornings start with chaos and a mental to-do list that never ends?

What would shift in your day if you took just three intentional minutes for yourself each morning?

In this deeply affirming and humorous episode, Colleen O’Grady welcomes Erin Morrison, author of Three Minutes for Mom: 365 Days of Empowerment, Encouragement, and Growth for a More Connected Motherhood. Erin shares how a simple daily practice—rooted in short reflections and compassionate reminders—can transform a mother’s emotional landscape. From real talk on “mom bods” and meltdowns to metaphors like “feelings are like laundry,” the conversation covers how small mindset shifts can help moms feel more grounded, connected, and confident. Erin emphasizes that empowerment doesn’t mean being perfect—it means believing in your goodness, even on the messy days. Together, Colleen and Erin remind moms that it’s not personal—it’s developmental—and that motherhood is an ongoing experiment, not a performance.

As the creator of The Conscious Mom, Erin’s approach to motherhood gives mothers exactly what they need: tools to make tiny shifts and create big change. With two master’s degrees in Counseling from Columbia University and a specialization in conscious parenting, Erin uses her down-to-earth, non-judgmental style to help mothers f feel more confident, connected & calm. As a mom of two, she understands the dynamics of parenting-and lives them herself so she can help parents everywhere dramatically and positively improve their relationships with their children.

Three Takeaways:

1. You don’t have to be perfect to be a great mom. Let go of the pressure to get it all right. What your kids need most is your presence, not your perfection.
2. Start your day with you. Taking just a few minutes in the morning for reflection, gratitude, or a grounding ritual can completely change your energy—and what you bring to your family.
3. Believe in your child, even when you can’t believe their story. When your teen spirals into dramatic thinking, stay grounded. Your belief in them—even when they don’t believe in themselves—is an anchoring force.

Find out more at https://theconsciousmom.com/

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/itstheconsciousmom/

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Are you dreaming of a peaceful family vacation but dreading the inevitable teen drama? Have you ever come home from a trip feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation?

In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms of Teens, Colleen O’Grady sits down with family travel coach Laura Rahn to explore how family vacations can become meaningful, memory-making experiences rather than stress-filled disasters. Together, they unpack why so many well-intentioned trips go off the rails—hint: it often starts before the bags are even packed. Laura shares her “Dream, Design, Depart” process, helping families clarify the purpose of their trip, communicate expectations ahead of time, and include teens in the planning process so everyone feels heard and invested.

Laura Rahn is a retired educator and a certified Family Travel Coach. She lives in Virginia with her husband and wonderful dog. As a military BRAT, she has been traveling her whole life. Laura has been involving her two adult daughters in the vacation planning process since they were old enough to have a voice and loves sharing her passion for family travel with others.

One key takeaway is that clear communication is everything—bringing your teen to the table early allows for shared expectations and fewer meltdowns. Another is to define the “why” of your vacation before picking the “where”; when everyone understands the purpose, the rest falls into place. Finally, moms are reminded not to lose themselves in the hustle—you matter too, and it’s okay to want something out of the vacation that’s just for you. After all, a truly great family trip leaves everyone feeling restored and connected.

• Follow on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/groups/seldomadullmoment 
• Learn more about Laura at https://www.seldomadullmoment.com/ 
• Freebie: bit.ly/42xgCFH  PDF of “The Busy Parents Guide to Start Planning that Dream Vacation with your Family”

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Does your teen frequently get angry?

In this episode, we talk about what anxiety-driven anger looks like in our teens.

Kelsey Torgerson Dunn, MSW, LCSW, specializes in anxiety and anger management therapy for kids, teens, and college students. She opened her group practice, Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, in early 2017. She practices cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness skills, and often finds that just having someone on your side is the most helpful part of counseling.

Kelsey recently published When Anxiety Makes You Angry written for teens.  “Using a proven-effective approach rooted in evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), When Anxiety Makes You Angry will help you identify the anxiety beneath your anger, accept difficult emotions—rather than fighting or trying to ignore them—and learn healthy coping and self-regulation skills to help you find emotional balance. You’ll also discover how to “train your brain” to stop and think before reacting; and how to choose calm over chaos when faced with the things that trigger your anxiety or anger.

To learn more contact Kelsey at https://www.kelseytorgersondunn.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselingwithkelsey/

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3500 TEENS ・ 2 RESEARCHERS ・ 1 QUESTION

What are adults missing about teens and technology? A lot.

Harvard University Project Zero researchers, Common Sense Media collaborators, and real-life parents Emily Weinstein and Carrie James are the authors of BEHIND THEIR SCREENS: What Teens are Facing (and Adults are Missing). In their book, James and Weinstein combine their years of research on technology use by adolescents—including data gathered during the first year of the COVID pandemic—to explore how teens use their phones, messaging apps, social media, and more to navigate their real-world relationships in new and surprising ways. The authors also have the benefit of the expertise of teens themselves. By working with dozens of middle and high school students across the United States—part of the authors’ Teen Advisory Council—Weinstein and James explain in adolescents’ own words why they do what they do online, and what tweens and teens wish their parents understood about the connected world they’re living in.

Emily Weinstein is a Research Director at Project Zero at Harvard and a Lecturer at the Graduate School of Education. Carrie James is a sociologist and Principle Investigator at Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is the author of Disconnected: Youth, New Media, and the Ethics Gap (MIT Press). The authors’ work has been covered in Time, the Boston Globe, the Washington Post, and the Atlantic, and they are sought-after speakers on teens and technology. You can learn more at www.behindtheirscreens.com

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Have you ever wondered if trusting your teen more could actually make them more responsible? Or do you find yourself constantly worrying and feeling like it’s your job to control everything in their life?

In this episode of Power Your Parenting – Moms with Teens, host Colleen O’Grady sits down with Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson, co-authors of The Self-Driven Child and their latest workbook, The Seven Principles for Raising a Self-Driven Child. Together, they explore how fostering a sense of autonomy in teens can actually make them more motivated and resilient. They discuss the critical difference between control and influence, the importance of parents being a non-anxious presence, and how stepping back can help teens step up. Through relatable examples and real-life experiences, they illustrate how letting go of excessive monitoring and trusting teens to navigate their own decisions—while still providing guidance—can lead to stronger relationships and more self-sufficient young adults.

 William Stixrud, Ph.D. is a clinical neuropsychologist and a faculty member at Children’s National Medical Center and George Washington University Medical School. He lectures and writes widely on the adolescent brain, meditation, and the effects of stress, sleep deprivation, and technology overload on the brain. He is on the board of the David Lynch Foundation.

 Ned Johnson is the founder of PrepMatters and the coauthor of Conquering the SAT: How Parents Can Help Teens Overcome the Pressure and Succeed. A sought-after speaker and teen coach for study skills, parent-teen dynamics, and anxiety management, his work has been featured on NPR, NewsHour, U.S. News & World Report, Time, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.

Here are three key takeaways from this conversation: First, teens need to develop a sense of control over their own lives to build confidence and resilience—over-managing them often backfires. Second, maintaining a calm and supportive presence as a parent is more effective than reacting with anxiety, as emotions are contagious. Lastly, success isn’t defined by a perfect academic record or a linear path—giving kids room to make mistakes and learn from them is one of the greatest gifts a parent can provide. This episode will leave you with a fresh perspective on parenting and practical ways to create a more positive, less stressful dynamic with your teen.

Learn more at https://theselfdrivenchild.com/

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/theothernedjohnson/

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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/

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