Parents & Teens Rising: Practical Tools for Raising Confident, Connected Teens

Ep 39. You're on Fire, It's Fine, with Katie K. May

In today's episode, I have a special treat for you. Today I'm talking to Katie K. May, therapist, author, and founder of a therapy practice in the greater Philadelphia area that supports teens and families. Katie is also a board-certified self-harm specialist, and she wrote the book "You're On Fire, It's Fine: Effective Strategies for Parenting Teens with Self-Destructive Behaviors." This conversation was so good, and I know you're going to get so much out of it. In this episode, we talk about: What it means to be a "fire feeler" and why some teens experience emotions like an internal explosion that takes over everything, as well as why it's rooted in biology and not a character flaw What's actually happening in a teen's nervous system when they shut down and go to their room, and why pushing harder as a parent tends to backfire The transactional model of behavior and how the changes a parent makes on their own, even without their teen in therapy, can start shifting the patterns at home right away Why judgment-based labels like "manipulative" or "oppositional" can inadvertently reinforce the very behaviors we want to change, and what to do instead The difference between reactive punishment and natural consequences, and how to hold teens accountable in a way that actually teaches something What self-harm is communicating about a teen's internal world, why it works physiologically to calm the nervous system down, and how parents can respond in a way that keeps the door open rather than driving the behavior underground The "circle of support" concept and why it's so important for parents to look outward for their own support rather than leaning on their teen to be okay so that they can feel okay What DBT gives teens that other approaches don't I finished Katie's book the morning of this interview and I cannot recommend it enough. It is a quick read, it is practical, and it gave me so much language for things I've felt but couldn't always articulate in my own work with teens and parents. Whether your teen is in crisis or you just want to show up better in your relationship with them, this book is for you. Go find Katie and her book, read it, and share it with every parent you know who is in the thick of it. https://katiekmay.com [https://katiekmay.com/] IG: @katiekmay [https://www.instagram.com/katiekmay/]

Ep 38. The Power of Never Giving Up and Believing in Yourself (for Teens and Parents)

In this deeply personal episode, I share the long and winding journey that led me to finally sell out my middle school wilderness backpacking rite of passage trip, a dream that has taken years, setbacks, heartbreak, resilience, and unwavering belief to bring to life. I open up about the science of grit, self-belief, growth mindset, and perseverance, while also sharing my own transformational experiences with wilderness rites of passage, solo time in nature, mentorship, and the challenges of building a purpose-driven business that supports teenagers and families. This episode is for parents, teens, educators, mentors, and anyone who has ever felt called toward something meaningful but difficult. If you’ve ever questioned yourself, doubted your path, or wondered whether your dreams are worth pursuing, this conversation is for you. In This Episode, I Share: *  Why grit and perseverance matter more than talent  *  The science behind resilience, growth mindset, and self-belief  *  My life-changing wilderness rite of passage experiences  *  How nature and challenge build confidence in teenagers  *  The struggles of building a purpose-driven business  *  What repeated failure taught me about persistence * Why do parents and teens both go through rites of passage  If you feel like your teenage daughter is craving more confidence, connection, resilience, and time away from the pressure of screens and social media, I would love to invite her to join my High School Girls Wilderness Backpacking Rite of Passage Trip this July in the Marble Mountain Wilderness of Northern California.   So if this is calling to you and your teen, now is the time to register.  🔗https://youth.guided-passages.com/high-school-girls-wilderness-trip-2026 [https://youth.guided-passages.com/high-school-girls-wilderness-trip-2026] If this episode resonated with you, please share it with another parent or teenager who may need this message right now. I’d love to connect with you and your family. Resources & Mentioned Research *  Dr. Angela Duckworth’s research on grit  *  Dr. Carol Dweck’s work on growth mindset  *  Dr. Albert Bandura’s research on self-efficacy  *  International Coaching Federation (ICF) Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast to help more families discover the power of rites of passage, resilience, and nature-based transformation.

Ep 37. Your Parenting Teens Strategy 101: Creating the Ecosystem Your Teen Needs to Thrive

In today's episode, I'm sharing about the seven foundational pillars that make up the ecosystem your teenager needs to grow, thrive, and stay connected to you through one of the most complex seasons of their development. This isn't just a parenting strategy episode. It's also about you, your nervous system, your emotional patterns, and the environment you're creating every single day in your home, often without even realizing it. Here's what we cover: Point 1: You're the Soil, Not the Sculptor Point 2: Your Nervous System is the Weather in Your Home Point 3: Breaking Generational Patterns Point 4: Connection Before Correction Point 5: Learning to Tolerate Uncertainty Point 6: The Sweet Spot Between Friend and Parent Point 7: The Permission to Be an Imperfect Parent Resources and ways to connect: If you want more support on this journey, you can:  * Join the Parents of Teens Rising Coaching Circle in the School app: https://www.skool.com/rooted-in-connection-1711/about [https://www.skool.com/rooted-in-connection-1711/about] * Book a one-on-one parent coaching call or explore teen coaching and upcoming wilderness trip opportunities. * Send me a DM to connect: @jasmyne.guidedpassages [https://www.instagram.com/jasmyne.guidedpassages/] If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a parent who needs to hear it and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or drop five stars on Spotify. It helps so many more families find this community.

Ep 36. The Power of Your Undivided Attention with Your Teenager

In this short but sweet episode, I’m sharing a simple (but often overlooked) parenting “hack” that has been making a big difference in my own relationship with my teens. Like many of you, my days are full. By the time evening rolls around, it’s so tempting to check out on my phone, catch up on emails, or zone out. And my teens? They’re usually doing the same. But I’ve realized that these everyday moments are actually some of the biggest opportunities for connection if we choose to use them intentionally. So today, I’m inviting you into a small shift that doesn’t require more time or energy, just more presence. What I Share in This Episode: * Why being in the same room isn’t the same as real connection * How simple shared moments (like watching a movie together) can deepen your bond * The impact of screens on our ability to truly connect * Easy, realistic ways to create connections in everyday life * Why presence matters more than doing things “perfectly” ✨ Ways to Connect & Get Support If something in this episode resonated with you and you’re looking for deeper support for your teen, I’d love to invite you into a few opportunities: 📌 Wilderness Rites of Passage Trip  (High School Girls | July 8–15) A powerful 7-day backpacking experience designed to help your teen disconnect from distractions, reconnect with themselves, and build meaningful connections with others and mentors during this important stage of life. 🔗Sign up Here [https://youth.guided-passages.com/high-school-girls-wilderness-trip-2026] 📌12-Week Coaching Programs * Ignite (ages 12–14) * Rise Up (ages 15–24) These high-touch coaching programs support teens with confidence, emotional regulation, mindset, motivation, and discovering their purpose, skills they’re not taught in school, but deeply need. Learn More: guided-passages.com [https://guided-passages.com/] Let's stay connected: Instagram: @jasmyne.guidedpassages Email: jasmyne@guided-passages.com Website: www.guided-passages.com [https://guided-passages.com/]

Ep 35. Your Teen's Brain is Under Construction (Here's What You Need to Know)

Ever feel like your teen’s behavior makes no sense? What if I told you it’s not defiance, it’s brain development? In this episode, I'm breaking down what’s actually happening inside your teenager’s brain and how understanding it can completely change the way you parent. 💡 What I Talk About: *  Why your teen struggles with impulse control (developing prefrontal cortex) *  How brain “pruning” shapes your teen’s habits and behaviors *  Why your teen’s brain is highly changeable (neuroplasticity) *  How dopamine drives risk-taking, motivation, and screen habits *  The ESSENCE framework:              🔥 Emotional Spark (big feelings)              🔥 Social Engagement (peer focus)              🔥 Novelty Seeking (risk & exploration)              🔥 Creative Exploration (questioning everything) Your teen isn’t a problem to fix. They’re in a critical stage of brain development.  If this episode resonated, send me a DM and share your biggest takeaway 💛 Know another parent who needs this? Share this episode with them. Let's stay connected: Instagram: @jasmyne.guidedpassages Email: jasmyne@guided-passages.com Website: www.guided-passages.com [https://www.guided-passages.com/]