Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

Latest Episodes:

How to Talk to Your Teen About Porn Before the Internet Does Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Finding out your teen has seen porn can bring up fear, anger, or even shame. But here's the truth: most teens will come across porn at some point, and how you respond matters far more than whether it happens.

👉 Want your teen to come to you instead of hiding? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn what to say in awkward moments, stay calm when they find something upsetting, and become the person their teen trusts with the hard stuff. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Greta Eskridge, author of It's Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn. Greta shares how her own family's healing led to her work, and why shaming or punishing kids backfires and pushes them toward secrecy and guilt. Teen curiosity about sex is natural. The problem is porn's fake, harmful picture of intimacy, and that's where we come in.

The goal is to make it us against the porn, not us against our kid. This conversation gives you the words, the questions, and the confidence to get there.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why shaming your teen about porn often increases secrecy and risky behavior
How to use the "Check Your Face" method to stay calm when you first find out
The questions to ask, for your teen's safety, without turning it into an interrogation
How to shift from being your teen's adversary to their teammate
How to repair the relationship if you've already reacted in a way you regret

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Why we need to talk about porn and teens
01:04 Greta's story: from personal pain to advocacy
02:13 How common porn is in youth culture
03:26 Why teens are naturally curious
04:47 Parents' fears when they discover porn
07:00 The overreaction cycle and its consequences
09:31 Why shame doesn't work
12:55 First steps when you discover porn use
16:18 Building connection and open dialogue
18:49 Understanding the impact of porn
21:59 Keeping the conversation going
24:24 Creating a safe space to talk
27:13 The reality behind porn
28:28 Preparing for hard conversations
31:22 Repairing the relationship
33:33 Empathy in parenting
36:13 Shifting how you see the challenge
38:18 Building open communication with teens

RESOURCES MENTIONED

It's Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn by Greta Eskridge
Adventuring Together by Greta Eskridge
100 Days of Adventure by Greta Eskridge

CONNECT WITH GRETA ESKRIDGE

Website: GretaEskridge.com
Instagram: @greta.eskridge
Podcast: The Greta Eskridge Podcast

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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How to Stop Having the Same Fight With Your Teen Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Are you stuck in an emotional Groundhog Day with your teen, where the same arguments, defiance, and standoffs keep repeating? You're not alone.

👉 Tired of having the same fight on repeat? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to stay calm in the heat of the moment, influence their teen without trying to control them, and repair after hard conversations. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with therapist and bestselling author Kati Morton to talk about why punishment-based parenting so often fails with teenagers, and how to break these frustrating cycles.

Kati explains that adolescence is about seeking independence, not rebellion. When we try to control teens with consequences, we often fuel the very behaviors we want to stop. Instead, she shares how to shift from control to influence, using curiosity and connection to build lasting respect and trust.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why punishing your teen often makes behavior worse, not better
The shift from control to influence, and why it works
What to say when your teen breaks a rule, so you don't react in the heat of the moment
How to use "wise mind" to stay calm during conflict
Simple ways to spark honest conversations without forcing them

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Stuck in the same fight with your teen
03:01 The illusion of control in parenting
05:56 Independence and communication with teens
08:46 Why honesty and vulnerability matter
11:44 Empathy for what teens are going through
14:50 When teens take risks
20:11 What's behind risky behavior
21:27 Why punishment doesn't work
23:49 Curiosity over judgment
25:16 Understanding teen behavior
27:09 Building trust and influence
29:21 How to talk so teens listen
31:38 Repairing after mistakes
38:40 The power of curiosity

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Why Do I Keep Doing This? by Kati Morton
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): emotion mind vs. wise mind
Skinner box research on punishment
Parts work therapy for understanding emotional responses

CONNECT WITH KATI MORTON

Website: KatiMorton.com
Instagram: @katimorton
YouTube: Kati Morton
TikTok: @katimorton
Facebook: Kati Morton

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

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Walking on Eggshells With Your Teen? How to Set Boundaries That Work Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

Do you feel like you're constantly walking on eggshells with your teen, afraid that one wrong word will set off an argument? You're not alone.

👉 Tired of tiptoeing in your own home? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to set boundaries that hold, stay calm when their teen gets disrespectful, and feel confident at home again. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jenny Hwang, a clinical psychologist and parent coach with more than 20 years of experience helping families through conflict. Dr. Hwang explains why traditional boundaries often backfire with teens, why so many parents end up feeling walked over, and how to set limits in a way that works.

If you're ready to step out of the exhausting cycle of battles and create a calmer, more respectful home, this episode is for you.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why most parents misunderstand what boundaries are
The difference between rules that control and boundaries that empower
How to handle disrespectful talk without losing your cool
Why your teen's push for independence isn't rebellion, it's healthy development

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Understanding boundaries with teens
04:27 What boundaries really are
08:01 When parents and teens overstep
12:17 Handling emotional triggers
17:37 Why mutual respect matters
21:39 Learning to say no
25:45 The challenge of control
30:34 The power of presence and attention
35:08 Social media and parenting
38:43 Key takeaways: setting boundaries that work

CONNECT WITH DR. JENNY HWANG

Instagram: @ProjectParentCoach
YouTube: @ProjectParentCoach

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

ABOUT THE SHOW

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Feel Like You're Failing as a Parent? Listen to This Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

If you've ever ended the day thinking, "Ugh, I was way too impatient. I didn't handle that well. I need to do better," you're not alone. Parenting teens has a way of making even the most loving parents feel like they're always falling short.

👉 Tired of feeling like you're getting it all wrong? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents trade second-guessing for confidence, learn to notice what's going right, and get support from parents who get it. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with counselor Erin Morrison, creator of The Conscious Mom and author of Three Minutes for Mom. Erin explains why our brains focus on the negative, how to stop taking our teen's behavior so personally, and what it means to be "doing enough." She also shares a simple 3-minute daily practice to help you reconnect with yourself and your teen.

If you're constantly hard on yourself, overwhelmed by parenting pressure, or tired of feeling like you're not enough, this episode is your reset.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why your teen's boundary-pushing can be a good sign
A 3-minute daily practice that helps you feel like a good parent again
How to shift from constant self-criticism to quiet confidence
How to stop taking your teen's behavior personally
What you're getting right, even when it doesn't feel like it

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Why parenting teens feels so hard
03:05 Reframing how we see parenting
05:42 Noticing your parenting wins
08:46 Why you need to recognize yourself
11:24 Responding vs. reacting
14:25 How you see yourself shapes how you parent
17:28 Building a positive relationship with your teen
20:25 Practical steps for self-care
23:19 Finding balance
26:36 Grounding in what's true
29:09 Tiny shifts, big changes
32:35 Balancing the work and fun of parenting
35:40 Understanding teen development
37:59 Letting go to stay connected
46:20 Ownership and independence

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Three Minutes for Mom by Erin Morrison
"Catch Them Being Kind" 5-Day Challenge
The "Friend Perspective" and "It's Not Personal, It's Developmental" reminders

CONNECT WITH ERIN MORRISON

Website: TheConsciousMom.com
Instagram: @itsthe.consciousmom

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 Stop Teen Meltdowns Before They Start (3-Step Pause) Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Ever wish you had a pause button, for your teen or for yourself? When you're caught in a meltdown, shutdown, or power struggle, it's easy to react and regret it later.

👉 Want fewer blowups to manage in the first place? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to spot the warning signs early, stay calm when emotions run high, and bring peace back to their home. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Jennie Phillips, a coach, fitness pro, mom of four, and author of Yellow Light Moments. Jennie shares her simple 3-step method, Yield, Listen, Move, to help families slow down and reset before emotions explode. If your family is running on exhaustion and conflict, a few intentional minutes can change a lot.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

A 3-step pause that stops teen blowups before they start
How to create a shared emotional language with your teen, like "caterpillar" or "question quota"
Why your teen's "laziness" might be healthy self-regulation
How guilt about self-care can hurt your parenting

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Why parents and teens need a pause
01:09 What Yellow Light Moments are
06:38 How to stop a teen meltdown before it starts
12:27 Why pausing prevents blowups
20:24 Training yourself to yield
25:44 What changes when you pause
29:37 Modeling calm for your teen
33:56 Final thoughts and action steps

RESOURCES MENTIONED

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

CONNECT WITH JENNIE PHILLIPS

Website: JenniePhillipsCoaching.com
Instagram: @jenniephillipscoaching

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 Protect Your Teen From Online Predators (Without Spying On Them) Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Worried your teen might fall into the wrong hands online? You're not being overprotective. You're being smart.

👉 Want your teen to come to you when something feels off online? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to talk about online safety without lectures, stay calm when they find something worrying, and build the trust that keeps teens safe. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Nate Lewis, founder of The Innocent, a nonprofit working to protect kids from trafficking, exploitation, and abuse in the US. A former law enforcement officer with more than 20 years of global anti-trafficking experience, Nate shares real-world ways to protect your teen without shutting them down or locking everything down.

We talk about how grooming works, why emotionally vulnerable teens are at greater risk, and the subtle online red flags parents often miss. Most of all, we talk about building the kind of connection that keeps your teen safe. Because the best safety tool isn't an app. It's trust.

If you're worried about your teen's safety online, report online exploitation to the CyberTipline at CyberTipline.org or 1-800-843-5678. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

The #1 predictor of whether a predator can gain access to your teen
How grooming works, and the red flags parents often miss
Why controlling devices can backfire, and what to do instead
How to talk to your teen about safety without triggering defensiveness
The role of male mentors and modeling in reducing vulnerability

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 The real risks of online predators
02:55 Nate's story and why he does this work
05:48 How grooming works
08:45 Building trust and communication with teens
11:31 Staying safe on social media
14:35 Which teens are more vulnerable
17:18 Helping teens resist manipulation
20:09 The parent's role in prevention
23:04 Modeling healthy relationships
25:55 Talking about consent
28:54 Supporting teens after trauma
31:56 Creating a community response
34:44 Why education and awareness matter

CONNECT WITH NATE LEWIS AND THE INNOCENT

Website: TheInnocent.org
Instagram: @theinnocent.usa
TikTok: @theinnocent.usa

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 Settle Arguments With Your Teen Like a Harvard Negotiator Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Constantly clashing with your teen? Here's the good news: conflict isn't the problem. It's how we handle it.

👉 Want disagreements that build your teen up instead of blowing up? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to stay calm in the heat of an argument, solve problems together, and raise a teen who can disagree respectfully. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Bob Bordone, a negotiation and conflict resolution expert who taught at Harvard Law School and author of Conflict Resilience. Bob shares how the same strategies used to resolve high-stakes disputes can turn power struggles and blowups into productive conversations that build trust and teach teens lifelong skills.

Avoiding conflict might feel easier in the moment, but it weakens your connection over time. Bob explains how to use everyday disagreements to teach problem-solving, perspective-taking, and resilience.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why avoiding conflict with your teen may hurt more than help
How naming emotions, known as "affective labeling," calms heated arguments
How to stop power struggles and spark better problem-solving
Why teens who know how to argue well are more resilient and confident

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Why conflict can be good for parents and teens
05:48 Why we avoid conflict
11:35 Turning conflict into collaboration
15:41 Communication strategies that work
20:37 Technology and boundaries
28:03 Building trust with your teen
35:37 Becoming conflict resilient

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Conflict Resilience by Bob Bordone
Matthew Lieberman's research on affective labeling (UCLA)
Dr. Judson Brewer on the "Bigger Better Offer"
Family idea: read Conflict Resilience together as a family book club

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

CONNECT WITH BOB BORDONE

Website: BobBordone.com
Instagram: @bobbybordone
X: @bobbordone
Facebook: Bob Bordone
LinkedIn: Robert Bordone
YouTube: Bob Bordone

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 Know If College Is Right for Your Teen (and What to Do If It's Not) Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Is college right for your teen? If your teen seems unmotivated, disconnected from school, or uninterested in college, you're not alone, and it doesn't mean they're lazy or doomed. They may just be tired of chasing someone else's version of success.

👉 Want to motivate your teen without grades, guilt, or fear? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to support their teen's path without power struggles, ease the pressure, and stay close while their teen figures out their future. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Hannah Maruyama, founder of Degree Free, who helps families explore real-world career paths beyond the traditional college route. We talk about why college isn't the right fit for every teen, what employers value now, and how to help your teen build a future that fits them, without unnecessary debt, pressure, or burnout.

Most teens only know a handful of jobs, the ones they can see. Hannah shares how to open their eyes to what's out there, and how to test a path before spending tens of thousands of dollars on it.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why pushing college as the only option backfires for many teens
5 paths that don't require a degree: getting a job, an apprenticeship or on-the-job training, a license or certification, building or buying a business, and learning a skill
The 4 factors to weigh when choosing a path: income, schedule, location, and work environment
A simple way to test whether a degree is truly required: apply for real jobs in the field first
How to motivate your teen without grades, guilt, or fear

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Rethinking success beyond college
01:28 Hannah's path from college to career freedom
04:15 The pressure to go to college
05:48 How college became the default
10:10 Student loans and their impact
12:50 Who really benefits from college?
15:39 Job requirements: degrees vs. skills
21:19 How the job market is shifting away from degrees
26:10 Preparing teens for an uncertain job market
32:44 The future of professional credentials
34:24 Rethinking education and career paths
36:36 Planning a career strategically
39:04 Why your teen's individual needs matter
42:25 Helping your teen choose a path
49:36 Empowering parents and teens
52:13 Alternative paths to success

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Degree Free: custom career roadmaps for teens and parents
5 Pathways to Great Work (video)

CONNECT WITH HANNAH MARUYAMA

Website: DegreeFree.com
Instagram: @degreefree
YouTube: @DegreeFree
TikTok: @degreefree

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.

What to Do If Your Teen Is Vaping or Smoking Weed Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

Found out your teen is smoking or vaping weed, or worried they might be? Before you react, here's something most parents don't know: peer pressure usually isn't the main reason.

👉 Want your teen to talk to you honestly about weed? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to have hard conversations without lectures, stay calm when they find something worrying, and build the trust that keeps teens safer. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jessica Willoughby and Dr. Stacey Hust from Washington State University's Media Adolescent Cannabis (MAC) Lab. Drawing on their research, they explain how marketing, social media, and misleading packaging, not just friends, shape how teens think about cannabis.

If you've ever felt unsure how to talk to your teen about weed, you're not alone. This episode gives you the insight and language to have honest conversations without losing the connection.

If you're worried about your teen's substance use, the SAMHSA National Helpline is free, confidential, and open 24/7 at 1-800-662-4357.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why peer pressure isn't the main reason teens use weed today
How marketing, packaging, and what teens think "everyone" is doing shape their choices
What THC gummies, vapes, and "natural" branding do to how teens see weed
How cannabis affects the developing teen brain
Harm reduction strategies that help when prevention isn't enough

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Why teens are using cannabis
03:06 How cannabis affects the teen brain
07:30 How to talk to your teen about weed
12:15 Harm reduction strategies for parents
19:53 How marketing drives teen cannabis use
25:17 The problem with edibles
30:29 Tough calls for parents
32:28 Starting the conversation early

RESOURCES MENTIONED

CONNECT WITH DR. STACEY HUST

LinkedIn: Stacey Hust
Bluesky: @staceyhust.bsky.social

CONNECT WITH DR. JESSICA WILLOUGHBY

LinkedIn: Jessica Fitts Willoughby
Bluesky: @jwilloughby.bsky.social

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 Let Go of Mom Guilt When Your Kids Are Teens Jun 15, 2025

Show notes

Do you end most days feeling like you're not doing enough? Mom guilt doesn't disappear when kids become teens. For many of us, it gets louder.

👉 Tired of carrying the guilt alone? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, you'll find a judgment-free community of parents who get it, steady support from me, and a calmer way to parent from your own values. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with writer and professor Nancy Reddy, author of The Good Mother Myth, to talk about the crushing weight of unrealistic parenting expectations. We explore how outdated ideas about being a "good mom" fuel guilt and stress, the difference between helpful guilt and harmful shame, and how to let go of perfectionism as your teen grows more independent.

Nancy also shares why asking for help, and letting your teen see you do it, is one of the best lessons you can teach. If you're tired of feeling like you're not enough, this episode is both a sigh of relief and a gentle wake-up call.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

How outdated "good mom" myths create guilt for modern parents
The difference between guilt, which can spark change, and shame, which keeps you stuck
The truth about your role in your teen's happiness
How to use a quick values check when guilt creeps in
Why building a "friend family" and asking for help makes you a better parent

EPISODE CHAPTERS