78 | Parenting Strong-Willed Kids with More Connection and Less Conflict with Mary Van Geffen

Hi Parents! Has your teen ever complained of a stomachache before school, developed a headache during a stressful week, or seemed physically exhausted when they're emotionally overwhelmed? Our emotions don't just exist in our thoughts. Stress and anxiety can affect how we experience our bodies and learning to recognize that connection can give teens another way to understand what they're going through. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Mary Sanders, a chiropractor, medical intuitive, and practitioner whose work brings together positive psychology, intuition medicine, energy medicine, spiritual embodiment, and meditation. Dr. Mary holds a Doctorate in Chiropractic from Logan College of Chiropractic, a Certificate in Positive Psychology from the Wholebeing Institute, and a Master's in Intuition Medicine®. She is also the host of the internationally acclaimed Energy Medicine podcast. Together, we explore the mind-body connection and how emotional stress can influence physical sensations. Dr. Mary shares some of the less obvious ways stress may show up, how parents can help teens become more aware of what they're experiencing physically and emotionally, and why approaching those sensations with curiosity can be so valuable. We also talk about nervous system regulation, meditation, energy medicine, and Dr. Mary's perspective on chakras and their role in overall well-being. Most importantly, we discuss practical ways parents can help teens slow down, notice what's happening within them, and develop greater awareness of the connection between their emotions and their bodies. If your teen struggles with anxiety, stress, overwhelm, or physical symptoms that seem to intensify during difficult seasons, this conversation offers a different perspective on understanding the relationship between the mind, body and soul. NEW: My 6-week parent program, The Parent’s Anxiety Toolkit™, is now open! If you’re raising an anxious teen and feeling overwhelmed, unsure what to say, or exhausted by the constant worry, this program will help you feel more calm, confident, and equipped with practical tools that actually work. Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program for Teens Connect With Me on Instagram

Hi Parents! Many teens feel anxious about their bodies, relationships, and the changes they're experiencing but often, that anxiety isn't because something is wrong. It's because no one has given them the information they need to understand what's happening. Today I'm joined by family physician Dr. Robin Dickinson to discuss why body education is about so much more than puberty or reproduction. Drawing from years of clinical experience and her work developing a comprehensive curriculum for teens, Dr. Dickinson explains how filling the gaps in body knowledge can reduce anxiety, build confidence, and help young people make safer, more informed decisions. We talk about the information many schools leave out, why understanding the neuroscience behind early attraction can help teens navigate relationships more confidently, and how parents can approach conversations about consent, healthy relationships, and personal safety without increasing fear or shame. Dr. Dickinson also shares practical advice for parents who never had these conversations growing up themselves and aren't sure where to begin. Whether your teen is just entering adolescence or already well into their teenage years, this episode offers a practical roadmap for having honest conversations that strengthen trust, reduce anxiety, and help your teen better understand both their body and themselves. 👉🏻 FREE Parent Guide from Dr. Robin Dickinson NEW: My 6-week parent program, The Parent’s Anxiety Toolkit™, is now open! If you’re raising an anxious teen and feeling overwhelmed, unsure what to say, or exhausted by the constant worry, this program will help you feel more calm, confident, and equipped with practical tools that actually work. Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program for Teens Connect With Me on Instagram

Hi Parents! Have you ever suggested a strategy to help your teen with anxiety only to hear, "That doesn't work," "I've already tried that," or "Nothing helps me"? It can be incredibly frustrating when your teen tells you they desperately want things to change but seems unwilling to try the very things that could help. You find the resources, encourage them to use their coping strategies, connect them with support, and try to keep them accountable, only to feel like you're working harder at managing their anxiety than they are. In today's episode, we're exploring what can happen when an anxious teen starts believing that nothing will work and how that belief can affect their willingness to keep trying. We'll talk about why strategies can sometimes make anxiety feel more noticeable before they feel helpful, why teens may give up when they don't experience immediate relief, and the important difference between a strategy eliminating anxiety and helping your teen respond to anxiety differently. We'll also explore what it really means when your teen says a therapist, coach, coping strategy, or other form of support "isn't working," how to distinguish between something genuinely being the wrong fit and something that hasn't had a fair opportunity to help, and why parents can provide support and accountability without taking responsibility for the change itself. If today's conversation resonated with you, you'll love The Parent's Anxiety Toolkit™. Inside the program, I teach parents how to move beyond simply understanding anxiety and confidently support their teen through resistance, uncertainty, and the everyday moments that build lasting confidence, resilience, and independence. Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program for Teens Connect With Me on Instagram

Hi Parents! Have you ever looked at your teen and thought, "They know exactly what they need to do... so why can't they just do it?" Whether it's starting homework, sending a difficult text, studying for a test, or finally tackling something they've been avoiding, many anxious teens aren't lacking motivation - they're facing an invisible emotional barrier that makes even simple tasks feel overwhelming. In today's episode, I'm joined by Brendan Mahan, ADHD coach, educator, author of Overcoming the Wall of Awful™, and host of the ADHD Essentials Podcast. Brendan introduces us to the concept of the Wall of Awful™ - a powerful framework for understanding why past emotional experiences, fear of failure, overwhelm, and anxiety can make it incredibly difficult for teens to take action, even when they genuinely want to. We explore why procrastination and avoidance are rarely about laziness or a lack of willpower, how emotional barriers quietly build over time, and practical ways parents can respond with curiosity instead of pressure. We also discuss parental burnout, the importance of supporting your teen without taking over, and why understanding what's happening beneath the behaviour can completely change the way you respond. If your teen often procrastinates, shuts down when things feel difficult, or seems overwhelmed by tasks they know they're capable of doing, this conversation offers a compassionate framework for understanding what's happening and practical ways to help them move forward. NEW: My 6-week parent program, The Parent’s Anxiety Toolkit™, is now open! If you’re raising an anxious teen and feeling overwhelmed, unsure what to say, or exhausted by the constant worry, this program will help you feel more calm, confident, and equipped with practical tools that actually work. Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program for Teens Connect With Me on Instagram

Hi Parents! One of the most difficult questions a parent can face is whether staying in an unhappy relationship is truly what's best for their children. While every family and every situation is different, it's a conversation that deserves honest reflection - especially when anxiety is part of the picture. I'm joined by Betsy Pake, international speaker, NLP coach, author, and creator of the Navigate Method. Betsy helps women make grounded, values-based decisions during life's most challenging seasons. Drawing from both her professional expertise and her own personal experience, she shares what she learned while navigating an unhealthy marriage, how her son was quietly affected by the tension at home, and why making a difficult decision ultimately transformed their relationship. Together, we discuss how children often sense more than adults realize, why modelling healthy relationships is one of the greatest gifts parents can give their teens, and how to distinguish between decisions driven by fear, guilt, or outside expectations versus those rooted in your own values. Betsy also introduces her Mirror, Mend or Move framework, explains how small, intentional shifts create lasting change, and shares practical strategies that helped support her son's anxiety through structure, connection, and consistency. Whether you're navigating a difficult relationship, working through a major life decision, or simply looking to become a more grounded and emotionally present parent, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into how caring for yourself can positively influence the environment your teen grows up in. 👉🏻 Listen to Betsy's Podcast The Art of Living Big NEW: My 6-week parent program, The Parent’s Anxiety Toolkit™, is now open! If you’re raising an anxious teen and feeling overwhelmed, unsure what to say, or exhausted by the constant worry, this program will help you feel more calm, confident, and equipped with practical tools that actually work. Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program for Teens Connect With Me on Instagram