Rethinking Parenting with Cristina Young

Dodging Drama at the Family BBQ

In this episode, I’m diving into the all-too-familiar chaos of family gatherings—specifically, how to prepare yourself and your teenager for navigating tricky relatives at the summer barbecue. Whether you’re hosting or traveling, you’ll walk away with three powerful tools to help set boundaries, avoid drama, and model healthy responses to uncomfortable situations. These are tools I share often in my office, because they work—and summer is too short to spend feeling anxious or reactive. Let’s fill your parenting tool belt and keep your vacation from turning into a battlefield.

I Deserve This AND It's Good for My Kids

In this solo episode, I dive into a message I believe every parent needs to hear: you deserve to prioritize yourself — and it's actually good for your kids when you do. I’ve been noticing a pattern in my work with parents who are running themselves ragged trying to meet every single need and whim of their children, while completely sidelining their own. I walk through why this is not only unhealthy for you, but also a disservice to your kids. Tune in to find out why I’m inviting you to consider that investing in your physical and mental health, your marriage, your friendships, and your time alone isn’t selfish — it’s essential.

College to Corporate: Reflections on Transitions with Riley Young

In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode, I sit down with my daughter Riley Young—back for her second appearance on the podcast—just days after she graduated from USC with a degree in Business Administration. We dive into what it really feels like to stand at the edge of one of life’s biggest transitions: college to adulthood. Riley reflects on the communities that shaped her, how her identity has evolved, and what she’s learned about balance, motivation, and self-care. For any parent witnessing their child take this leap, or for anyone navigating change themselves, I hope this conversation offers both insight and inspiration.

Your Marriage Needs Oxygen and Sunshine

In this episode, I dive into the often-overlooked heart of the family: your marriage. With summer approaching and more time spent as a family unit, I’ve been hearing a lot from moms about the tension—and opportunity—that can come with being around our partners more. I offer five actionable strategies to help you nurture your relationship like the living, breathing organism it is. From reconsidering the settings where we spend time with our partners to learning how to meet emotional bids, I share real stories (including a few from my own marriage), grounded insights, and ways to reconnect—so your relationship thrives, not just survives.

Fortifying Yourself For Summer!

Summer can get overwhelming fast if we don’t get intentional about our time. In this episode, I walk you through four practical rules for setting boundaries—including how to pause before saying yes, how to listen to your gut instead of your “shoulds,” and how to use simple filters to make better decisions about your time. I also share one of my favorite summer traditions for families—a sweet, screen-free way to stay connected through old-school letter writing. Let’s make this a season where your choices reflect what matters most.