Parenting Teens: Advice Redefined for Today's Complex World

~142~WTF:"Teen “Tantrums” as Survival Strategies"

#ParentSupport #AutismAwareness Do you ever label your teen’s outburst as “attention‑seeking,” “manipulative,” or “just drama”? In this hard‑hitting, no‑fluff episode, Cheryl Pankhurst shatters those myths once and for all. Drawing on decades of front‑line special‑ed experience and a powerful, real‑life story from a teen she coached from grade 9 through senior year, Cheryl proves that behaviour is communication—not a choice. 🔹 Why teens—especially neuro‑divergent teens—can’t “just calm down.” 🔹 The life‑changing distinction between “can’t regulate” vs. “won’t regulate.” 🔹 A 1‑5 safety rating system that gives teens a voice before a crisis hits. 🔹 Practical steps to replace judgment with empathy at home, school, and in public. If you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, or any adult who watches a teen fight to be understood, this episode will flip your perspective and arm you with concrete tools to respond with compassion instead of condemnation. > “It feels like a wall of flames right in front of my face.” – The moment that re‑defined Cheryl’s entire approach to teen behaviour.

~152~"Name Your Face: Simple Neuroscience Hack to Improve Teen Communication and Conflict Resolution" Dr. Lisa Riegel

#TeenBrain, #Neuroscience, #7CFramework, #SocialMedia, #OverParenting, In this power‑packed conversation, host Cheryl sits down with Dr. Lisa Riegel—neuroscientist, educator, and author of NeuroWell and the 7C Framework. Together they unpack the science behind teenage behavior, demystify the “will‑or‑won’t” myth, and give parents practical, brain‑friendly tools to turn disengagement into engagement, anxiety into confidence, and “over‑parenting” into empowered autonomy. Connect with Lisa https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisariegel/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisariegel/] www.epinstitute.net lisariegel.com [ www.epinstitute.net lisariegel.com] Connect with Cheryl! Let’s Chat https://tidycal.com/cherylpankhurst/15-minute-meetinghttps://tidycal.com/cherylpankhurst/consultation-chat [https://tidycal.com/cherylpankhurst/consultation-chat] Sleep support [https://a.co/d/aXEYO2G] DIRECT LINK TO COACHING WITH CHERYL [https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/coaching]  email : support@cherylpankhurst.com  Website [https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/]   [http://cherylpankhurst.com]cherylpankhurst.com [http://cherylpankhurst.com] SOCIALS: linkedin.com/in/l. R.cheryl-ann-pankhurst-1b611855 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-ann-pankhurst-1b611855] https://www.instagram.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst/ [https://www.instagram.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst/]                       [https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst] https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst [https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst] PODCAST- “PARENTING TEENS ADVICE REDEFINED FOR TODAY’S WORLD THE PODCAST [https://podopshost.com/65777cadcf3fc] https://open.spotify.com/show/4QwFMJMDDSEXJb451pCHO9?si=9c1a298387c84e13 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4QwFMJMDDSEXJb451pCHO9?si=9c1a298387c84e13] https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYv9FQy1X43wwoYg0zF8zAJw6-nCpHMAk&si=7p-e4UlU2rsG3j_t [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYv9FQy1X43wwoYg0zF8zAJw6-nCpHMAk&si=7p-e4UlU2rsG3j_t] Optin-podcast subscriber https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/teen-minds-redefined-podcast [https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/teen-minds-redefined-podcast] Join our Podcast Private Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpswww.facebook.comgroups1258426648646523 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpswww.facebook.comgroups1258426648646523] What’s it like to work with me! MINI-COURSE [https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/how-to-talk-to-your-teen-when-you-dont-know-where-to-start]

~165~"Autism, Meltdowns & School: What Every Parent of a Teen Needs to Know" with Dr. Teresa Lyons

If your teen has been diagnosed with autism—or you suspect something isn’t adding up—this is the conversation you need. In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Teresa Lyons, an Ivy League scientist, autism educator, and parent, to break down what’s really going on beneath the surface of an autism diagnosis—and what parents can actually do next. Because here’s the truth: A diagnosis can feel like everything just changed overnight. The future you imagined shifts. The questions multiply. And the system? It often gives you labels… not clarity. This conversation cuts through the noise. We talk about: * What an autism diagnosis really means (and what it doesn’t) * The emotional reality parents don’t say out loud—grief, shame, and overwhelm * Why “one-size-fits-all” autism advice doesn’t work * The science behind autism—explained in a way parents can actually understand * What might be happening in your teen’s brain and body * Why meltdowns happen—and how to respond without escalating * The truth about medications like Adderall (short-term vs long-term thinking) * How nutrition, gut health, and environment may impact behavior * The hidden harm of labels—and how they affect your teen in school * Why so many parents feel isolated (and what actually helps) You’ll also hear a critical shift: 👉 Moving from fear and confusion… to clarity and leadership. Because your teen doesn’t need a perfect parent. They need a grounded one. And when you understand what’s actually going on—everything changes. If you are navigating: * A new autism diagnosis * School challenges or IEP confusion * Emotional outbursts or meltdowns * Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or alone This episode will meet you exactly where you are—and give you a way forward. 🎧 Listen now and share this with a parent who needs steadiness today. #AutismInTeens #AutismDiagnosis #ParentingTeens #AutismSupport Meet Dr. Theresa Lyons — international autism educator, Ivy League scientist, and autism parent. She’s the founder and CEO of Navigating AWEtism, a groundbreaking platform that transforms the overwhelming complexity of autism science into clear, actionable steps for families. With a Ph.D. from Yale and a deeply personal mission, Dr. Lyons has worked with parents in over 21 countries, bringing evidence-based strategies that change lives. Today, she’ll share how her unique blend of rigorous science and real-world experience is giving parents what they’ve never had before: clarity, confidence, and a roadmap for progress. Important Links / How to find you  * https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingAWEtism [https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingAWEtism] https://www.instagram.com/navigating_awetism/ [https://www.instagram.com/navigating_awetism/ ] https://www.facebook.com/NavigatingAWEtism [ https://www.facebook.com/NavigatingAWEtism ]https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresamlyonsphd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresamlyonsphd/ ] https://www.tiktok.com/@navigatingawetism [https://www.tiktok.com/@navigatingawetism ] https://navigatingawetism.com/ https://awetism.net/ [https://navigatingawetism.com/ https://awetism.net/] Connect with Cheryl! Get the book here! Daring to Belong: Autism Stories of Courage and Connection [https://a.co/d/0hOtQKRc] YOUR GIFT- GUIDE FOR GRADE 8 TO GRADE 9 IEP TRANSITIONS https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/iep-high-school-transition-parent-quick-guide [https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/iep-high-school-transition-parent-quick-guide] Let’s Chat https://tidycal.com/cherylpankhurst/15-minute-meetinghttps://tidycal.com/cherylpankhurst/consultation-chat [https://tidycal.com/cherylpankhurst/consultation-chat] DIRECT LINK TO COACHING WITH CHERYL [https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/coaching]  email : support@cherylpankhurst.com  Website [https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/]   [http://cherylpankhurst.com]cherylpankhurst.com [http://cherylpankhurst.com] SOCIALS: linkedin.com/in/l. R.cheryl-ann-pankhurst-1b611855 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-ann-pankhurst-1b611855] https://www.instagram.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst/ [https://www.instagram.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst/]                       [https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst] https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst [https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst] PODCAST- “PARENTING TEENS ADVICE REDEFINED FOR TODAY’S WORLD THE PODCAST [https://podopshost.com/65777cadcf3fc] https://open.spotify.com/show/4QwFMJMDDSEXJb451pCHO9?si=9c1a298387c84e13 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4QwFMJMDDSEXJb451pCHO9?si=9c1a298387c84e13] https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYv9FQy1X43wwoYg0zF8zAJw6-nCpHMAk&si=7p-e4UlU2rsG3j_t [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYv9FQy1X43wwoYg0zF8zAJw6-nCpHMAk&si=7p-e4UlU2rsG3j_t] Optin-podcast subscriber https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/teen-minds-redefined-podcast [https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/teen-minds-redefined-podcast]

~163~“The Therapy Your Teen Actually Needs (Hint: It’s Not Sitting on a Couch)” with Prairie Conlon

#PARENTINGTEENS #TEENMENTALHEALTH #TEENANXIETY #ADHDPARENTING #AUTISMSUPPORT Welcome to another raw, real, and honest conversation on Parenting Teens: Advice Redefined for Today’s World—where we stop sugarcoating parenting and start understanding what’s actually going on beneath the surface. Because it’s not them… it’s you—and that’s where the magic happens. In this episode, we explore something many parents feel but don’t fully understand: 👉 Why animals can regulate your teen’s nervous system faster than words ever could. I’m joined by Prairie Conlon, licensed mental health therapist and equine-assisted psychotherapist, who shares how animals—especially horses—can access parts of your teen’s brain that traditional therapy simply can’t reach. This conversation will shift how you think about: * Anxiety * ADHD * Autism * Emotional regulation * And why your teen “shuts down” when you try to talk 🔑 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE * Why traditional “sit and talk” therapy often fails teens * How animals bypass resistance and connect directly to the nervous system * The powerful role of nonverbal communication in neurodivergent teens * Why horses teach boundaries and self-regulation better than adults * The difference between verbal memory vs. sensory (trauma) memory * Why your teen may be “fine” at school—but falls apart at home * How animals reduce anxiety in minutes (backed by brain research) * Why therapy should never feel like punishment * What real progress looks like (hint: it’s not always what you expect) 🧠 A SHIFT EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO HEAR If your teen won’t open up… If therapy hasn’t worked… If you’re exhausted trying to “get through” to them… This episode will help you understand: 👉 Your teen isn’t resisting you. 👉 Their nervous system is protecting them. 👉 And connection doesn’t start with talking—it starts with safety. 🐴 ABOUT OUR GUEST – PRAIRIE CONLON Prairie Conlon is a licensed mental health therapist and founder of Emotional Support Assisted Therapy. She specializes in integrating animals into trauma therapy, autism support, and emotional healing. Her work has been featured in: * The Guardian * Military Makeover * Creature Comforts documentary And her approach is changing how we understand healing—especially for teens who don’t fit the traditional model. 🎧 WHY PARENTS NEED TO LISTEN Because what you’re doing might not be wrong… It’s just not reaching the part of your teen that needs support. And once you understand that— everything shifts. 🔗 WORK WITH ME If your teen is struggling in school, navigating a diagnosis, or you feel lost in the system… I help you go from diagnosis → direction So you can walk into meetings confident and finally feel heard. 👉 Visit CherylPankhurst.com to book a complimentary consultation 🔥 SEO HASHTAGS (HIGH REACH + NICHE TARGETED) #ParentingTeens #TeenMentalHealth #TeenAnxiety #ADHDParenting #AutismSupport

~150~"Creating a Safe Home for LGBTQ+ Teens: Shame, Language, and Healing" with Stef Vachon

What do you say when your teen comes out as LGBTQ+? In this powerful conversation, Cheryl Pankhurst—special education specialist, teen advocate, and creator of Parenting Teens Advice Redefined Podcast—sits down with Stef Vachon, host of Together Moving Forward, to talk about what LGBTQ+ teens really need from parents. We talk about the words that create safety, how shame shows up in teenagers, signs your teen may be struggling with identity, and how parents can respond with calm, clarity, and connection—even if you don’t get it perfect. Stef shares his story of growing up in an unsafe environment, surviving bullying and homophobia, and learning how healing, therapy, and community helped him reclaim his life. Together we unpack what parents and educators can do right now to create a home where teens feel safe, seen, and valued. Because your teen isn’t asking for perfect language. They’re asking to feel chosen. This episode is for parents who are searching things like: • “How do I support my LGBTQ teen?” • “What do I say when my child comes out?” • “Signs my teen is questioning their identity” • “How to create a safe home for LGBTQ kids” • “How to help my teen with shame or anxiety” If you’re worried about saying the wrong thing… this conversation will guide you toward connection instead of fear. And remember what we always say here: It’s not about fixing your teen. It’s about doing the inner work so you can be the safe place they come home to. If you need help navigating school meetings, advocating for your teen, or rebuilding connection in your family, you can learn more about Cheryl’s consulting work at CherylPankhurst.com. Connect with Cheryl! The Good Divorce Show Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/2hIILoayZV2oQu5zEzJdcP?si=wl8O0S9YSCCwkUSJQAYcrQ [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2hIILoayZV2oQu5zEzJdcP?si=wl8O0S9YSCCwkUSJQAYcrQ] Let’s Chat https://tidycal.com/cherylpankhurst/15-minute-meetinghttps://tidycal.com/cherylpankhurst/consultation-chat [https://tidycal.com/cherylpankhurst/consultation-chat] Sleep support [https://a.co/d/aXEYO2G] DIRECT LINK TO COACHING WITH CHERYL [https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/coaching]  email : support@cherylpankhurst.com  Website [https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/]   [http://cherylpankhurst.com]cherylpankhurst.com [http://cherylpankhurst.com] SOCIALS: linkedin.com/in/l. R.cheryl-ann-pankhurst-1b611855 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-ann-pankhurst-1b611855] https://www.instagram.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst/ [https://www.instagram.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst/]                       [https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst] https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst [https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst] PODCAST- “PARENTING TEENS ADVICE REDEFINED FOR TODAY’S WORLD THE PODCAST [https://podopshost.com/65777cadcf3fc] https://open.spotify.com/show/4QwFMJMDDSEXJb451pCHO9?si=9c1a298387c84e13 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4QwFMJMDDSEXJb451pCHO9?si=9c1a298387c84e13] https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYv9FQy1X43wwoYg0zF8zAJw6-nCpHMAk&si=7p-e4UlU2rsG3j_t [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYv9FQy1X43wwoYg0zF8zAJw6-nCpHMAk&si=7p-e4UlU2rsG3j_t] Optin-podcast subscriber https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/teen-minds-redefined-podcast [https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/teen-minds-redefined-podcast] Join our Podcast Private Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpswww.facebook.comgroups1258426648646523 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpswww.facebook.comgroups1258426648646523] What’s it like to work with me! MINI-COURSE [https://www.cherylpankhurst.com/how-to-talk-to-your-teen-when-you-dont-know-where-to-start]