A Parenting Reporter’s View: What’s Really Going On with Teens Right Now

Ana Homayoun is an academic advisor and early career development strategist who is the founder of Silicon Valley–based Green Ivy Educational Consulting and executive director of Luminaria Learning Solutions, which develops student programs focused on executive functioning and well-being. She is the also author of four books, most recently the paperback Getting In Is Not Enough: The New Blueprint for Success Beyond Grades, Test Scores and College Admission, coming out June 9, 2026, as well as That Crumpled Paper Was Due Last Week, The Myth of the Perfect Girl, Social Media Wellness. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Fast Company, and NPR, and on Good Morning America and NBC News. Ana Homayoun's website: https://anahomayoun.com/ CultivaTeen Roots helps parents of tweens and teens navigate adolescence with confidence and connection. Through courses, resources, and community support, we give parents practical tools to understand their child’s development, set healthy boundaries, and strengthen relationships during these transformative years. Check out our website for more information, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cultivateenroots.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram @cultivateenroots and Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cultivateenroots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow YourTeen Mag online: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://yourteenmag.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/YourTeen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/yourteenmag

Joanna Hardis is a licensed clinical social worker, cognitive behavioral therapist, and author who specializes in anxiety, OCD, and helping people build resilience in the face of discomfort. She is the author of Just Do Nothing: A Paradoxical Guide to Getting Out of Your Way and is known for her practical, evidence-based approach to overcoming anxiety, perfectionism, and avoidance. Joanna's website: ⁠https://joannahardis.com/⁠ Joanna's Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joannahardis/⁠ Follow Bethany on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bethanybraunsilva/⁠ CultivaTeen Roots helps parents of tweens and teens navigate adolescence with confidence and connection. Through courses, resources, and community support, we give parents practical tools to understand their child’s development, set healthy boundaries, and strengthen relationships during these transformative years. Check out our website for more information, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cultivateenroots.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram @cultivateenroots and Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cultivateenroots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow YourTeen Mag online: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://yourteenmag.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/YourTeen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/yourteenmag

Bethany talks to parents across the country and hears what’s coming up in real time…so today we’re using her lens to explore what parents are experiencing, and we’re going to help break that down through the teen perspective. Follow Bethany on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethanybraunsilva/ CultivaTeen Roots helps parents of tweens and teens navigate adolescence with confidence and connection. Through courses, resources, and community support, we give parents practical tools to understand their child’s development, set healthy boundaries, and strengthen relationships during these transformative years. Check out our website for more information, ⁠⁠⁠⁠cultivateenroots.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram @cultivateenroots and Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cultivateenroots⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow YourTeen Mag online: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://yourteenmag.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/YourTeen⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/yourteenmag

Chelsey Goodan is an author, speaker, and advocate for teenage girls’ empowerment. She is also the founder of The Teenage Girl Cabal, a community focused on helping girls build confidence, authenticity, and leadership skills. Through her writing, workshops, and speaking engagements, she encourages parents and society to better understand and support teenage girls. Link to the Teenage Girl Cabal: https://theteenagegirlcabal.com/ Link to Chelsey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChelseyGoodan/ CultivaTeen Roots helps parents of tweens and teens navigate adolescence with confidence and connection. Through courses, resources, and community support, we give parents practical tools to understand their child’s development, set healthy boundaries, and strengthen relationships during these transformative years. Check out our website for more information, ⁠⁠⁠cultivateenroots.com⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram @cultivateenroots and Facebook ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cultivateenroots⁠⁠⁠. Follow YourTeen Mag online: Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://yourteenmag.com/⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/YourTeen⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/yourteenmag

Miriam Groom is the founder and CEO of Mindful Career, a psychology-based career counseling and coaching firm that helps people discover careers aligned with their strengths, personality, and goals. She is an organizational psychologist and human behaviour specialist with more than 20 years of experience in human capital strategy, leadership development, and career coaching. Mindful Career: https://mindful-career.com/ Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miriam_career/ CultivaTeen Roots helps parents of tweens and teens navigate adolescence with confidence and connection. Through courses, resources, and community support, we give parents practical tools to understand their child’s development, set healthy boundaries, and strengthen relationships during these transformative years. Check out our website for more information, ⁠⁠⁠⁠cultivateenroots.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram @cultivateenroots and Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cultivateenroots⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Katie K. May is the creator of The Teen Coping Code™ and a nationally recognized authority on teen behavior, trauma-informed care, and high-risk youth intervention. Learn more about Katie May: https://katiekmay.com/ Check out her books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/By-Katie-K.-May/author/B01M6AZQ2M CultivaTeen Roots helps parents of tweens and teens navigate adolescence with confidence and connection. Through courses, resources, and community support, we give parents practical tools to understand their child’s development, set healthy boundaries, and strengthen relationships during these transformative years. Check out our website for more information, ⁠⁠cultivateenroots.com⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram @cultivateenroots and Facebook ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cultivateenroots⁠⁠. Follow YourTeen Mag online: Website: ⁠⁠https://yourteenmag.com/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/YourTeen⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/yourteenmag

Dr. Tara Rawana is a passionate naturopathic doctor in Burlington, Ontario dedicated to helping you raise resilient kids. In her private practice, she supports the mental and physical health of tweens and teens, while also offering various educational opportunities to help them thrive. Follow Dr. Tara Rawana: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/dr.tararawana/⁠ CultivaTeen Roots helps parents of tweens and teens navigate adolescence with confidence and connection. Through courses, resources, and community support, we give parents practical tools to understand their child’s development, set healthy boundaries, and strengthen relationships during these transformative years. Check out our website for more information, ⁠⁠⁠cultivateenroots.com⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram @cultivateenroots and Facebook ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cultivateenroots⁠⁠⁠.

CultivaTeen Roots helps parents of tweens and teens navigate adolescence with confidence and connection. Through courses, resources, and community support, we give parents practical tools to understand their child’s development, set healthy boundaries, and strengthen relationships during these transformative years. Check out our website for more information, ⁠⁠cultivateenroots.com⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram @cultivateenroots and Facebook ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cultivateenroots⁠⁠. Follow YourTeen Mag online: Website: ⁠⁠https://yourteenmag.com/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/YourTeen⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/yourteenmag

Dr. Cam Caswell is an adolescent psychologist, parenting coach, TEDx speaker, and host of the Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam podcast. For over 20 years, she has worked with teens and families navigating shutdowns, anxiety, defiance, and disconnection. Dr. Cam's website: https://www.askdrcam.com/ Follow Dr. Cam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcamcaswell

In this episode, we sit down with Heather Nelson- a mom to tweens and teens, founder of The Connection Hive, and host of the podcast Life Conversations with a Twist- to talk about her surrogacy journey, the powerful lessons motherhood has taught her about listening deeply, and what it looks like to repair trust after inevitable parenting missteps. Follow Heather on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathernelson.life/ Connection Hive Website: https://theconnectionhive.co/ CultivaTeen Roots helps parents of tweens and teens navigate adolescence with confidence and connection. Through courses, resources, and community support, we give parents practical tools to understand their child’s development, set healthy boundaries, and strengthen relationships during these transformative years. Check out our website for more information, ⁠⁠cultivateenroots.com⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram @cultivateenroots and Facebook ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cultivateenroots⁠⁠. Follow YourTeen Mag online: Website: ⁠⁠https://yourteenmag.com/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/YourTeen⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/yourteenmag