Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

Latest Episodes:

Is ChatGPT Safe for Teens? What Parents Need to Know Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

Is your teen confiding in ChatGPT instead of you? Generative AI is now part of almost every corner of teen life, and it happened so fast that many of us feel a step behind. Are teens using AI to learn, to cheat, or something in between? Are they turning to it for emotional support? And what should we worry about versus react to out of fear?

👉 Want to be the one your teen turns to first? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to talk about tech and AI without lectures, stay calm when something worries them, and become the person their teen trusts with the hard stuff. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Alanna Powers-O'Brien, Research and Program Specialist at the Family Online Safety Institute and co-author of the national report Generative AI in Uncertain Times: How Teens Are Navigating a New Digital Frontier. We talk about what teens told researchers directly, what surprised even the experts, and why most parents are focused on the wrong risks.

You'll hear why many teens don't want to cheat, why 42% use AI to talk through their emotions, and what teens wish parents understood before reacting.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

How teens use ChatGPT and other AI tools for school, learning, and everyday problems
Why many teens are confused about what counts as cheating with AI
Why teens turn to AI for emotional support, and what it does and doesn't replace
Teens' top concern about AI, and why it's not what most parents assume
What teens wish parents understood before reacting

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Teens and generative AI explained
01:03 Inside the research on teen AI use
02:40 How teens use ChatGPT and other AI tools
05:22 AI and cheating
08:22 The gray areas parents should understand
10:13 Teens' fears about losing critical thinking skills
12:05 AI and the future job market
12:59 Why teens talk to AI about their feelings
15:59 Why AI feels human to teens
17:16 Data privacy and safety concerns
18:40 Why AI is so appealing to teens
20:52 AI dependency and social connection
24:16 Accessibility and emotional support
25:54 What teens wish parents knew
27:56 Practical advice for parents

RESOURCES MENTIONED

CONNECT WITH ALANNA POWERS-O'BRIEN

Organization: Family Online Safety Institute
Website: FOSI.org

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

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.

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Teen Night Owl? Natural Ways to Fix Late Nights and Rough Morni Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

Struggling with your teen's late nights, groggy mornings, and endless battles over bedtime? You're not alone, and you're not imagining it.

👉 Want bedtime without the battle and mornings without the struggle? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to set routines without nagging, stay calm at bedtime, and raise a teen who takes charge of their own mornings. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with certified Ayurvedic practitioner Nidhi Pandya to talk about why traditional sleep rules often fail with teenagers. We talk about how the teen body clock shifts during adolescence, why stress can disrupt sleep as much as screens, and why Ayurveda sees the hours before 2 AM as especially restorative.

Nidhi shares practical tools rooted in Ayurvedic wisdom that help reduce resistance, build connection, and help teens ease into a better sleep schedule, without nagging, yelling, or forcing bedtime.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why your teen's late nights are biological, not just behavioral, and how to work with their changing body clock
Why screens aren't the only sleep disruptor, and what else may be keeping your teen up
How to create calming evening rituals that ease stress and strengthen connection
The surprising morning strategy that builds responsibility, and why you need to stop being the household alarm clock

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Why teens struggle with sleep
02:53 How the teen body clock shifts
05:39 Creating a sleep-friendly room
08:40 Negotiating bedtime with your teen
11:28 Natural tools for better sleep
14:18 Building trust and cooperation
17:16 Morning routines and responsibility
20:03 How parents influence teen sleep
22:55 Practical tips for better sleep
26:00 Creating a calm home

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Inner Climate Framework, Nidhi's rhythm-based Ayurvedic approach for families
Whoop, a tracker for sleep, stress, and recovery
Resonance breathing: nasal breathing with longer exhales
Legs Up the Wall pose (Viparita Karani)
Chamomile tea, magnesium balm, and lavender essential oil
The NYT Crossword as a parent-teen connection activity

CONNECT WITH NIDHI PANDYA

Website: NidhiPandya.com
Instagram: @my_ayurvedic_life

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

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How to Tame Your Teen's Skincare Obsession (From a Dermatologist Mom) Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

Is your teen's bathroom counter starting to look like a Sephora exploded? You're not imagining it. The teen skincare craze is real, and TikTok is fueling it. But here's what most parents don't realize: many trendy products, harsh ingredients, and 10-step routines can damage teen skin.

👉 Want to guide your teen's choices without a power struggle? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to talk about trends, spending, and self-image without lectures, and become the voice their teen listens to over TikTok. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, sponsored by Bright Girl Skincare, I sit down with Dr. Angela Casey, a double board-certified dermatologist, skin cancer surgeon, mom of three, and founder of Bright Girl. She breaks down what teens need, what they don't, and how to steer them away from harmful trends and toward lifelong skin health.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why 6 to 8 step "SkinTok" routines backfire
The 3 products teens need: cleanse, moisturize, protect
Which ingredients to avoid, like harsh acids, scrubs, and retinols
Why sun protection in the teen years matters for adult skin health
How to talk to your teen about toning down the trends without a power struggle

GET 15% OFF BRIGHT GIRL SKINCARE

My teen is obsessed with Bright Girl, and she finally stopped raiding my bathroom counter. Dr. Casey set up a discount for our community.

Shop with 15% off or use code DRCAM

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Why teen skincare is suddenly out of control
04:52 The real dangers behind TikTok skincare
10:19 The three-step routine every teen needs
17:44 How early sun exposure leads to adult skin cancer
26:02 What to avoid: acids, beads, scrubs, and retinols
34:11 How to talk to your teen about skincare without lecturing
40:08 Why Bright Girl Skincare was created for teens

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Bright Girl Skincare (15% off)
American Academy of Dermatology: sunscreen safety
Differin (adapalene), an over-the-counter acne treatment
Over-the-counter acne support: benzoyl peroxide washes and witch hazel toners

CONNECT WITH DR. ANGELA CASEY

Website: BrightGirl.com
Instagram: @brightgirlbeauty
TikTok: @brightgirlbeauty
Facebook: @brightgirlbeauty
LinkedIn: Dr. Angela Casey

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is your go-to guide for raising today's teens with more connection, confidence, and calm. Every episode brings expert insight and real-world strategies to help families thrive, not just survive, the teen years.

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ADHD Teen Won't Do Homework? They're Not Stubborn, They're Stuck Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

If homework has turned into an exhausting nightly standoff, this episode is for you. Teens with ADHD aren't stubborn or unmotivated. They're stuck, thanks to executive functioning challenges like getting started, time blindness, working memory, and overwhelm.

👉 Tired of the nightly homework standoff? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn what to say when their teen is stuck, stay calm instead of pushing harder, and protect the relationship while the homework gets done. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with neurodivergent therapist Holly Blanc Moses. We talk about how shame and the gap between expectations and capacity make starting feel impossible, and we share brain-based, neurodiversity-affirming tools that turn standoffs into small wins, like time timers, body doubling, breaking tasks down, and solving problems together.

You'll walk away with practical scripts and strategies that help your teen start and finish homework with more confidence and less conflict, while protecting your relationship.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why "stubborn" and "lazy" are the wrong story
5 neuroscience-backed strategies that end homework battles
The 2-minute trick that helps ADHD teens get started on anything
How to tell if your approach is adding stress your teen doesn't need

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Why homework feels impossible: executive functioning 101
12:29 The expectation-capacity gap, and how to close it
24:37 Motivation vs. task analysis: mapping the first step
36:05 From shame to support: words that lower defenses
37:01 Co-regulation and trust: teaching when your teen is stressed
41:42 Tools that work: time timers, body doubling, and collaboration

RESOURCES MENTIONED

CONNECT WITH HOLLY BLANC MOSES

Website: HollyBlancMoses.com
Practice (Raleigh, NC): Crossvine Counseling
Instagram: @hollyblancmoses
Facebook: @hollyblancmoses
Facebook group for parents: Wired Differently
YouTube: @autismadhdtvwithholly
LinkedIn: Holly Blanc Moses

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

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How to Love Your Teenager When You Don't Like Them Right Now Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

"I love my teen, but I don't like them right now." If you've ever thought that, you're far from the only one. When your teen is defiant, distant, or disconnected, love can feel hard to find.

👉 Want to enjoy your teen again? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to stop the yelling cycle, repair after hard moments, and move from constant conflict to calm, connected conversations. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with pediatric psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, author of Love the Teen You Have. She explains why the teen brain can seem as irrational as a toddler's, and shares practical, brain-based ways to rebuild connection without losing your authority or your sanity.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why your teen can seem irrational, and what brain science says about it
How to stop the yelling and nagging cycle
The difference between conditional and unconditional love in parenting
Simple, curious conversations that rebuild trust
How to repair your relationship, even when your teen won't talk

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 When parenting a teen gets hard
03:03 What's going on in the teen brain
05:54 Connection over control
08:51 Conditional vs. unconditional love
11:41 How your parenting style affects your relationship
14:35 Repairing your relationship with your teen
17:30 Why humility matters in parenting
20:30 Breaking the cycle of miscommunication
23:16 The power of apology and accountability
26:08 Creating a supportive home for your teen
28:59 Final thoughts

RESOURCES MENTIONED

CONNECT WITH DR. ANN-LOUISE LOCKHART

Website: ANewDaySA.com
Instagram: @dr.annlouise.lockhart
YouTube: @dralockhart

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

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Why Do I Get So Angry at My Teenager? (And How to Stop) Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

Why do I get so angry at my teenager? If your teen's backtalk or eye roll hits you harder than it should, and you've caught yourself thinking, "Why do I lose it over something so small?" this episode is for you.

👉 Tired of losing it over the small stuff? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to catch their triggers before they explode, repair after hard moments, and bring more calm into their home. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Shelly Robinson, certified conscious parenting coach and founder of Raising Yourself. We talk about why our teens' behavior can stir up our deepest wounds, and how healing our own past can change our relationship with them.

Shelly shares her own path from reactive parenting and yelling matches to calm, emotionally intelligent conversations with her now 15-year-old son. You'll learn the link between your inner teen and your actual teen, how to spot triggers before they explode, and how to break cycles of shame, guilt, and control.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

How unresolved childhood wounds fuel conflict with your teen, and why recognizing your inner teen is the first step to calmer parenting
How to repair after conflict, including Shelly's "No-But Apology Formula"
How to notice the body cues of a trigger, like a racing heart or a rush of heat, before they take over
The self-compassion shift that changes how you talk with your teen

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Why your teen triggers you
02:45 Shelly's path to conscious parenting
05:46 Why inner child work matters
08:43 Recognizing your emotional triggers
11:31 Handling teen behavior without reacting
14:31 The cycle of self-criticism
17:27 Reparenting yourself
20:10 Finding your voice
23:12 Building healthy communication

RESOURCES MENTIONED

CONNECT WITH SHELLY ROBINSON

Website: ShellyRobinson.com
Instagram: @raisingyourself
Facebook: @raisingyourself
TikTok: @raisingyourself

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.

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How to Get on the Same Page With Your Partner About Your Teen Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

When parenting a teenager turns into a battleground between parents, everyone suffers, including your teen. One parent becomes the "tough one," the other becomes the "soft one," and teens quickly learn how to play the gap.

👉 Tired of being the bad cop, or the pushover? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to stay calm when they disagree, find common ground on the big decisions, and present a united front without pretending to agree on everything. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with couples therapist Dr. Tracy Dalgleish. We talk about why parents so often end up on opposite sides during the teen years, how tension between parents can get redirected onto the teen (known as family triangulation), and how to support each other even when you disagree.

The good news: most parents share the same core values, even when their approaches look completely different. You don't need identical parenting styles. You need shared values, room for different ways of expressing them, and the skill of repair.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why teen conflict often divides parents, and how to stop it
How family triangulation quietly hurts your whole family
How to stay connected to your partner when your parenting styles clash
How to repair after conflict and rebuild trust with your partner
How to handle resentment, shame spirals, and pressure from extended family

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Why parents end up on opposite sides
02:51 How parenting styles affect your relationship
05:59 Handling conflict and communication
08:53 Why self-reflection matters
11:49 Building a stronger partnership
14:22 Empathy for your partner's approach
17:16 Shame and taking responsibility
20:25 Aligning on shared values
23:10 Managing old patterns
25:21 How to disagree well
29:20 Playing to each other's strengths
30:19 Dealing with outside pressure
33:37 Why affirmation matters
37:45 Modeling self-reflection and self-care
42:02 Focusing on what you can control

RESOURCES MENTIONED

You, Your Husband and His Mother by Dr. Tracy Dalgleish
Dear Dr. Tracy podcast

CONNECT WITH DR. TRACY DALGLEISH

Website: DrTracyD.com
Instagram: @DrTracyD

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.

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How to Calm an Angry Teenager (5 Tactics That Work) Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

Is your teenager melting down after school, snapping at you, or shutting down completely? You're not alone, and it may not be bad behavior.

👉 Want calmer evenings and fewer blowups? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to stay steady when their teen explodes, spot the signs before a meltdown, and become the safe place their teen comes back to. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jim Costello, creator of the Costello Method, to talk about why teen emotional explosions are often a nervous system in overload, not disrespect. We talk about why "sit still and listen" can make things worse, how to become a safe place instead of a trigger, and five body-based tactics you can use right away to calm your teen and lower the stress in your home.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why your teen's after-school meltdown can be a sign of overload, not bad manners
How movement and co-regulation make calmer conversations possible
Simple pressure and grounding techniques to use in high-stress moments
How to spot early signs, like fidgeting or posture changes, before a blowup happens

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Why teens melt down
03:56 How teen regulation develops
07:53 Understanding emotional dysregulation
13:54 Tools for co-regulation
18:39 Parent-teen dynamics in hard moments
24:15 Building movement routines together
30:31 Seeing behavior as dysregulation
43:13 Key takeaways for parents

RESOURCES MENTIONED

The Brain Follows by Dr. Jim Costello
The Costello Method, focused on developmental plasticity and primitive reflex integration

CONNECT WITH DR. JIM COSTELLO

Website: DrJimCostello.com
Instagram: @dr.jimcostello

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.

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How to Connect With a Distant Teen (Lessons From a Foster Dad of 47) Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

If your teen feels distant, defiant, or shuts you out, you're not alone, and there's hope.

👉 Want to reach a teen who shuts you out? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to guide instead of control, start fresh after hard days, and build the kind of trust that keeps their teen coming back. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with foster and adoptive dad Peter Mutabazi, founder of the Now I Am Known Foundation. A survivor of childhood abuse and homelessness in Uganda, Peter has since fostered 47 children. He explains why teens can be easier to parent than younger kids, and how shifting from control to mentorship changes everything.

You'll get practical, trauma-informed tools to lower conflict, rebuild trust, and guide your teen without power struggles, whether you're facing defiance, craving deeper connection, or simply want to understand your teen better.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

How a foster dad of 47 connects with teens using mentorship instead of control
Why your teen's acting out isn't about you, and the "three-person approach" that sees hormones, trauma, and normal development
Why starting fresh every day builds trust
How celebrating small wins and one-on-one time build confidence in defiant or withdrawn teens

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Why parenting teens feels so hard
01:20 Peter's journey from Uganda
06:50 The power of being seen and known
09:55 Inside the foster care system
12:09 Building trust with foster teens
13:35 Mentor vs. parent: a new approach
17:41 Understanding teen trauma and behavior
20:21 Why you shouldn't project your past onto your teen
23:50 Celebrating small wins
28:14 Finding time and patience in a busy house
29:57 Using social media to change the story
35:01 Finding joy in parenting
38:38 Key takeaways for parents

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Now I Am Known Foundation
Trauma-informed parenting strategies
Foster care system and licensing information

CONNECT WITH PETER MUTABAZI

Website: Now I Am Known
Instagram: @fosterdadflipper
Facebook: Foster Dad Flipper
TikTok: @FosterDadFlipper
YouTube: Now I Am Known

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 Get Your Teen to Wear Deodorant (Without Nagging) Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Does your teen skip deodorant, brush off every reminder, and not even seem to notice the smell? You're not imagining it, and there's a reason. Many teens can't smell their own body odor, which is why the daily reminders often go nowhere.

👉 Tired of nagging about deodorant and everything else? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to build habits without the battles, talk about awkward topics without shame, and raise a teen who takes ownership. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Carly Broderick, founder of Myles Personal Care, a gender-inclusive hygiene brand made for teens and tweens. Carly shares how parenting through puberty inspired her to create practical solutions for families. We talk about why teens resist basic hygiene, from puberty's "hurricane effect" to product sensitivities and even rebellion, and Carly shares her simple SSB routine that turns daily fights into lasting habits.

Whether your teen is entering puberty or in the thick of it, this episode will help you replace nagging and shaming with routines that help your teen feel confident in their own skin.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN