Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

Latest Episodes:

How to Get Your Middle Schooler to Cooperate (What Great Teachers Know) Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

Middle schooler won't listen, won't cooperate, or won't get out of bed without a fight? Here's the surprise. That same kid is often engaged, funny, and working hard in a great teacher's classroom. In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, veteran middle school teacher Sean Kane shares what great teachers know about getting middle schoolers to cooperate, and how you can use it at home.

Most of us treat the middle school years like bad weather. We keep our heads down and wait for it to pass. Sean thinks that's the biggest missed opportunity we have. After 14 years in the classroom, time as a dean of students, and raising three sons, he's seen that middle schoolers don't change because of more criticism or bigger consequences. They change when they start to feel capable.

In this episode you'll learn:
1. Why your middle schooler seems like a different person, and what's going on underneath
2. How comparison and constant correction feed a deficit mindset
3. Why middle schoolers need more praise, not less
4. How to stack small wins (and why a 71% clean room is progress)
5. Why reflective questions work better than lectures
6. How to step back so your teen learns "I can figure this out"

👉 Want your middle schooler to cooperate without the daily battles? Parenting Teens Academy gives you a step-by-step plan to rebuild connection and strengthen your influence, plus you can ask me questions directly every day. Join here: https://www.skool.com/parenting-teens-academy/about

Chapters:
00:00 Why middle school is the most misunderstood age
01:12 Why Sean Kane chose to teach middle school
04:34 Puberty and the emotional side of middle school
07:18 How comparison creates a deficit mindset
10:37 What great teachers know about middle schoolers
13:33 How small wins build self-efficacy
16:07 Why praise matters more in middle school, not less
18:24 Why parents struggle to let go of punishment
21:50 Why boundaries only work with trust
24:23 Why success is the best consequence
27:04 How reflection builds self-awareness
30:07 How to stop overfunctioning for your teen
33:06 Responding to emotional and behavior struggles
36:37 How to build collaboration with your middle schooler
40:19 Why teens need to feel seen
43:12 The power of authentic connection
47:30 From punishment to relationship-based discipline
50:32 Where to find Sean Kane

Resources mentioned:
Dr. Shefali Tsabary's work on conscious parenting
Autopilot, Sean's upcoming course: growthmindsetparenting.com

Connect with Sean Kane:
Website and newsletter: growthmindsetparenting.com
Instagram: @growthmindsetparenting
TikTok: @growthmindsetparenting

Connect with Dr. Cam Caswell:
Website: www.askdrcam.com
Instagram: @drcamcaswell
YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

🎧 Enjoying the show? Leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the support they need.
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About the show: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.

What's one thing your middle schooler did right this week?

How to Be Strict but Fair With Your Teenager (Lessons from Single Dad of 3) Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

When a teen gets defiant or starts with the back talk, most of us push harder. More rules, louder voice, fewer explanations. And the harder we push, the further they pull away or shut down completely.

👉 Want to stay in charge without the yelling? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents trade shouting for calm, earn their teen's respect, and go from walking on eggshells to enjoying their teen again. Try it free for 7 days at askdrcam.com/academy

José Rolón, known as NYC Gay Dad, raised his son and twin daughters as a single dad for ten years. He's the first LGBTQ dad on the cover of Parents Latina and co-host of the Love Take Two podcast. In this episode, he shares how he stays strict and fair without the yelling.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO:

Find the one setting where a teen who won't talk finally opens up
Understand the real reason your disrespectful teen goes from 0 to 100
Know what to say instead of "because I said so" when defiance hits
Use the one thing that earns your teen's respect faster than stricter rules

RESOURCES MENTIONED

José Rolón: @NYCGayDad
Love Take Two podcast

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell

ABOUT THE SHOW

Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.

⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.

🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Thanks for listening. See you next week!

Dr. Cam

Why Is My Teen So Quiet? How to Get Them Talking Again Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

"I'm only trying to help, but every question makes my teen go quieter."

When your teen won't talk, what looks like defiance may be a sign they don't feel heard. The harder we push, fix, or force connection, the further they often pull away or shut down.

👉 Want your teen to open up to you again? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn what to say when their teen shuts down, trade guessing for calm, and go from walking on eggshells to enjoying their teen again. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Rachel Martin, Chief Operating Officer of the Born This Way Foundation, co-founded by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Bissett Germanotta. Rachel shares what teens need to feel safe opening up, and how to change the conversation starting today.

If your teen's silence comes with signs of hopelessness or talk of self-harm, reach out to a mental health professional right away. In the US, call or text 988 anytime.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN

Why your teen shuts down when you try to help
The one thing missing when a packed schedule still feels lonely
What to do instead of forcing connection when screen time spikes
How talks about mental health can weaken or rebuild trust

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Why teens go quiet, with Rachel Martin
02:03 Inside the Born This Way Foundation
04:41 The social connection challenge for teens
06:23 Why every teen's social life looks different
08:57 What third spaces are and why teens need them
11:34 Low-pressure places where teens connect
14:36 When cost gets in the way
15:29 How unsafe environments affect teens
22:50 Building connection at home
26:34 Why teens need a trusted adult
28:57 How to talk openly about mental health
30:20 Making it a two-way relationship
31:50 Key takeaway: community and curiosity
32:31 How to connect with Rachel and the foundation

RESOURCES MENTIONED

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.

🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Thanks for listening. See you next week!

Dr. Cam

Why Your Teen Hides Things From You (and What to Do So They Stop) Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Is your teen hiding things from you? It can feel like the tighter we hold on, the faster they pull away. Strict rules, phone bans, and grounding can seem like the safest way to protect our teens. But often they just teach teens to hide things better.

👉 Want to stay close without the power struggles? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to loosen control without losing their footing, keep their teen talking, and become the safe place their teen keeps coming back to. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Zara Kadir, a child, adolescent, and family psychotherapist, parenting coach, and mom of two. Zara explains why teens don't dislike us, they dislike having an agenda pushed into every interaction. We talk about why taking the phone often backfires, what to say instead of an automatic "no," and how to respond to mistakes so your teen keeps telling you the truth.

Your job isn't to stop your teen from making mistakes. It's to be the person they call when they do. Teens need a safe home base, a place they can explore from and always come back to.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why teens hide things from their parents, and what works better than more rules
What to say instead of an automatic "no"
Why taking the phone away often backfires, and how to work together instead
How to respond to mistakes so your teen keeps telling you the truth
How to rebuild trust if you've been leaning on control

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Meet Zara Kadir
02:47 What parents get wrong about teens
05:01 Why overprotecting teens backfires
07:02 How to change course as a parent
09:39 Parenting in the digital age
12:18 Supporting your teen's identity and exploration
15:24 Handling teen behavior without overreacting
18:09 How the teen brain makes decisions
20:09 Supporting teens through mistakes
22:09 Creating a safe space to explore
23:10 Balancing freedom and connection
24:22 Owning your parenting mistakes
25:00 The power of a thoughtful response
26:19 Understanding teen brain development
27:23 Teaching respect and empathy online
28:09 How to start changing your relationship
29:08 Getting into your teen's interests
30:09 Why the relationship comes first
31:04 Collaborative parenting and dialogue
32:00 Resources and final tips

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Zara's courses on awkward conversations (puberty, periods, porn, and more): use code CAM for 20% off

CONNECT WITH ZARA KADIR

Instagram: @thetherapyshed

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

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How to Discipline a Teenager Without Punishment | Dr. Tina Payne Bryson Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever blamed your teen's eye rolls, impulsive choices, or big reactions on their "underdeveloped brain"? The teen brain keeps developing into the mid-20s, but that doesn't mean teens can't make good decisions. In fact, adolescence is one of the most important times for them to practice.

👉 Want discipline that teaches instead of backfires? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to set limits without punishment, stay calm when their teen messes up, and raise a teen who comes to them instead of hiding. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with psychotherapist and bestselling author Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, co-author with Dr. Dan Siegel of The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline. We talk about what brain science can teach us about raising teens, why punishment can lead teens to hide their mistakes instead of learning from them, and why connection is the foundation for discipline, trust, and independence.

If you want to understand what's happening inside your teen's brain and respond in ways that help them grow, this episode gives you practical, science-backed strategies.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

What teen brain development means for decision-making, empathy, impulse control, and responsibility
Why punishment and fear can lead teens to hide mistakes instead of learning from them
How to give your teen safe chances to practice decision-making and build independence
Why connection and secure attachment are the foundation for trust and better behavior
The four S's of secure attachment: safe, seen, soothed, and secure

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 What brain science teaches us about teens
01:10 Parenting teens with understanding and empathy
02:43 How brain development affects teen behavior
04:09 Myths about brain maturity and responsibility
08:48 The prefrontal cortex in teens
11:59 Why practice builds skills
16:22 How to scaffold and support your teen
22:45 Mistakes and repair as learning
32:48 Building trust and secure attachment
44:55 Why relationship matters more than rules

RESOURCES MENTIONED

The Whole-Brain Child by Dr. Tina Payne Bryson and Dr. Dan Siegel
No-Drama Discipline by Dr. Tina Payne Bryson and Dr. Dan Siegel
The Power of Showing Up by Dr. Tina Payne Bryson and Dr. Dan Siegel
The Way of Play by Dr. Tina Payne Bryson and Georgie Wisen-Vincent
The Four S's of Secure Attachment: Safe, Seen, Soothed, Secure

CONNECT WITH DR. TINA PAYNE BRYSON

Website: TinaBryson.com
Instagram: @tinapaynebryson

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

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Why Your Teenager Won't Listen to You (It's Not Defiance) Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

Does it feel like you're talking to a wall? You ask, remind, repeat, and still nothing. It's easy to decide your teen is being defiant. But often, something else is going on.

👉 Tired of repeating yourself? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to get through without nagging, stay calm instead of reactive, and get their teen talking and listening again. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. R.J. Ledet, a psychiatrist trained in pediatrics, adult psychiatry, and child and adolescent psychiatry, a Navy veteran, and co-founder of The 15 White Coats. We talk about why teens tune us out, how our stress shortens our fuse, and why so much of the disrespect we dislike starts with what teens hear at home.

The fix isn't stricter rules. It's pausing before we react, building responsibility step by step, and getting curious about how our teen thinks, not how we think they should.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why your teen isn't ignoring you on purpose
The simple pause that keeps you from reacting and lecturing
Why modeling teaches more than lectures, and where disrespect comes from
How asking your teen to define "respect" helps your expectations land
How to build responsibility step by step instead of all at once

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 The challenges of parenting teens today
02:10 Meet Dr. R.J. Ledet
03:51 Common mistakes parents make with teens
06:00 Why self-awareness matters in parenting
08:06 Parenting under stress
10:01 The developmental stages of kids and teens
12:09 How your own upbringing shapes your parenting
14:01 Modeling and communication at home
16:02 Social media and screens
18:12 Building trust and connection with teens
19:58 Taking responsibility and caring for yourself
22:04 The power of pausing
24:00 Managing expectations and responsibility
26:01 Love, respect, and understanding
27:59 From control to connection
29:56 Final thoughts and key takeaways

CONNECT WITH DR. R.J. LEDET

Instagram: @DrRussellLedet
Organization: The 15 White Coats

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.

🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Helicopter Parenting Teens: The Hidden Cost of Doing Too Much Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

Stop Overparenting: What Your Teen Actually Needs to Thrive | John Fogle

Are you constantly worrying about your teen's grades, screen time, choices, or attitude? It's easy to get caught up in the small stuff when you're trying to set your teen up for success. But some of the things parents work hardest to control may actually get in the way of the skills teens need most.

In this episode, Dr. Cam sits down with parenting researcher, data analyst, and author John Fogle to explore what really matters when raising teens. Together, they discuss why overprotecting teens can increase anxiety, how age-appropriate independence builds resilience, and why a strong parent-teen relationship is more protective than constant rules and monitoring. If you're exhausted from trying to keep your teen on the "right" path, this episode will help you step back from fear-based parenting and focus on raising a capable, confident adult who knows they can always come to you when things go wrong.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

Why focusing too much on grades, screens, and minor behavior can distract from what your teen actually needs

How overprotecting and controlling teens can unintentionally increase anxiety and reduce resilience

Why age-appropriate freedom, risk, and mistakes are essential for developing confidence and problem-solving skills

How to become the parent your teen trusts enough to call when they're in trouble

🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?

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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Punishment Free Parenting by John Fogle

Whole Parent Membership Platform: myparentlab.com

Whole Parent Academy: wholeparentacademy.com

Whole Parent Podcast

The Danish Way of Parenting by Jessica Joelle Alexander

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: John Fogle

Website: wholeparentacademy.com

Membership: myparentlab.com

Instagram: @WholeParent

Facebook: @WholeParent

TikTok: @WholeParent

YouTube: Whole Parent

Podcast: Whole Parent Podcast

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell

Website: askdrcam.com

Instagram: @DrCamCaswell

TikTok: @the.teen.translator

YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

Facebook: @DrCamCaswell

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction: Rethinking Parenting Priorities

00:27 Meet John Fogle: Parenting Researcher and Author

01:20 Why We Overfocus on Small Stuff

02:20 The Role of Grades in Teen Anxiety

03:09 Success and Happiness Beyond Academic Achievements

04:04 The Myth of Boundaries and Rules

05:03 What Really Matters in Teen Development

05:59 Parents' Goals for Their Kids at Different Ages

06:29 Parenting for the Long Term

07:29 The Value of Diverse Experiences

09:14 The Power of Relationships and Communication

11:28 Parenting Beyond Control: The Ecosystem of Support

13:54 The Impact of Societal Changes on Teen Mental Health

16:44 Historical Lessons: The Great Leap Forward and Sparrows

18:34 The Cost of Overprotection and Control

20:47 Building Trust and Resilience in Teens

23:31 The Reality of Teen Screen Use and Digital Skills

26:57 The Decline of Autonomy and Its Effects

29:36 The Power of Parental Relationship and Support

33:26 Teen Behavior: Normal Developmental Challenges

36:27 The Importance of Community and Support Networks

38:15 Parenting as a Long-Term Investment

40:10 Simple, Effective Parenting Strategies

42:49 Listening to Teens and Building Trust

44:58 The Value of Risk and Resilience

48:49 Real-Life Examples of Risk and Growth

50:31 Final Words of Wisdom for Parents

ABOUT THE SHOW

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.

Whether you're struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #TeenResilience #Overparenting

Teen Phone Rules That Stick (Without Daily Fights) Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Are you constantly battling your teen over their phone? With worries about screen time, social media, and teen mental health everywhere, taking the phone away can feel like the only way to protect them. But what if the phone isn't the root of the problem?

👉 Tired of fighting about phones? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to set phone limits without the daily battles, stay calm when their teen pushes back, and get their teen talking to them again. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, a school psychologist, therapist, nervous system regulation expert, and author of The Dysregulated Kid. We talk about why teens turn to their phones to escape uncomfortable feelings, why restricting screen time alone doesn't teach healthy coping skills, and how calm, clear boundaries and connection help teens build emotional resilience.

If phones have become a constant source of conflict in your home, this episode gives you a different approach, one that focuses on what's driving the behavior, not just the screen.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why your teen's phone use may be a sign of stress and dysregulation, not the real problem
How your own calm shapes the way your teen responds to boundaries and conflict
Why connection and clear boundaries work better than surveillance and constant restrictions
The Love Pause, a three-second habit that stops phone fights before they start
Practical ways to help your teen build healthier coping skills than scrolling

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Why phones feel like the enemy
02:01 How teens use phones to cope, and the risks
04:06 How phones affect sleep and emotional health
07:10 Passive scrolling and emotional dysregulation
09:53 Rising mental health struggles and what dysregulation looks like
15:00 Setting phone boundaries that work
19:59 Why teens need space and independence
25:11 Why surveillance backfires, and how to build trust
30:01 Teaching teens to handle technology and online predators
35:12 Why your calm matters most
39:58 The Love Pause and other calming strategies
42:03 How to connect with Dr. Roseann

RESOURCES MENTIONED

The Dysregulated Kid: A Practical Playbook by Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge
Regulation First Parenting
The CALMS System
The Love Pause

CONNECT WITH DR. ROSEANN CAPANNA-HODGE

Website: DrRoseann.com
Program: Regulation First Parenting

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

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Why Your Teen Triggers You (and How to Break the Cycle) | Eli Harwood Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

Why does your teen trigger you so fast? One eye roll, one tone, and suddenly you're reacting in ways you swore you never would. It's easy to focus on changing your teen's behavior. But many of us carry wounds from our own childhood that shape how we respond to conflict, criticism, and connection with our teens.

👉 Want to stay calm when your teen pushes your buttons? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to respond instead of react, repair after hard moments, and build the secure relationship they wish they'd had. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Eli Harwood, a licensed therapist, attachment expert, and bestselling author known as Attachment Nerd. We talk about how generational trauma repeats itself in families, why secure attachment doesn't require perfect parenting, and how balancing softness with sturdiness helps teens grow into confident, independent adults.

The good news: you don't have to get it right every time. You have to be willing to repair.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

How wounds from your own childhood show up when your teen triggers you
Why secure attachment comes from softness and sturdiness, not perfection
Why you only need to get it right some of the time
How to repair after you lose it, and why the U-turn matters
How to stop repeating generational patterns, and where to find support

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 What attachment means for parents of teens
02:58 Why we have to deal with our own stuff
06:05 Letting go of shame in parenting
08:58 When parents lean on teens for their emotional needs
12:00 Hearing feedback from your teen
14:59 How defensiveness hurts the relationship
17:57 Building trust with your teen
22:09 How to respond instead of react
24:37 Why teens need both structure and nurture
26:56 Keeping trust and connection strong
29:12 Understanding teen development
32:22 Embracing the messiness of adolescence
34:51 Why parents need community
37:12 Finding support and healing
39:11 The power of connection and attachment

RESOURCES MENTIONED

How to Deal with Your Sh*t So Your Kids Don't Have To by Eli Harwood
Securely Attached by Eli Harwood
Attachment Nerd Secure Parent Program

CONNECT WITH ELI HARWOOD

Website: AttachmentNerd.com
Instagram: @AttachmentNerd
Facebook: @AttachmentNerd
YouTube: Attachment Nerd

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.

🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

How to Rebuild Trust With Your Teen and Stop Overparenting Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

Do conversations with your teen often turn into arguments, silence, or frustration? Many of us try to help by giving advice, solving problems, or closely managing our teen's life. But those well-meant efforts can push teens away.

👉 Ready to stop the power struggles? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to step back without checking out, listen instead of lecture, and become the person their teen wants to come to. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with JoAnn Crohn, a certified parent coach, bestselling author, and host of the No Guilt Mom podcast. We talk about why overparenting is often driven by fear, how curiosity builds more connection than control, and why your own happiness as a parent matters more than you might think.

If you're ready to stop the power struggles and build a relationship where your teen wants to come to you, this episode is full of practical strategies and eye-opening insights.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN