It’s February, and for many high school seniors and their parents, the "college limbo" has officially set in. Between waiting on regular decision letters and navigating unexpected deferrals, the stress at home can be at an all-time high. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Laura Ollinger sits down with Jenna Schebell, founder of The College Navigators [https://thecollegenavigators.com/], to pull back the curtain on the final stages of the college admissions process.

Jenna, an independent education consultant with over 20 years of experience, explains why the power dynamic is finally shifting. Now that the applications are in, it’s time for your teen to move from "applicant" to "decision-maker."

In this episode, we discuss:

 * The "Decision Central" Mindset: How to handle the anxiety of not knowing where you’re going while peers are already posting their roommates.
 * The Truth About Deferrals: What is "yield protection" and why do colleges keep students in limbo even when they are highly qualified?
 * Choosing the Right Major: The strategic difference between direct-admit programs (like nursing and engineering) versus exploratory paths.
 * Evaluating College Fit: Why attending an admitted students day is the best way to test the "vibe" and community values.
 * The Summer Start Advantage: Why starting college in the summer might actually lead to a smoother social transition for your teen.

Whether you are navigating college application stress or trying to help your child choose between two different majors, Jenna provides the logical and emotional roadmap parents need right now.

Resources Mentioned:

 * The College Navigators [https://thecollegenavigators.com/]
 * Follow Jenna Schebell on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thecollegenavigators/]
 * Positively Healthy Coaching [https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/booking]: Connect with Laura Ollinger for parent and teen well-being support, including coaching around the college admissions time of life.

Next Steps: Stay tuned for Part 2 next week, where we dive deeper into this conversation with Jenna Schebell, founder of The College Navigators [https://thecollegenavigators.com/]. If your teen is selecting high school courses and not quite in the college admissions phase, this one is for you!

The College Decision Phase: Navigating Deferrals, Yield Protection, and "The Limbo" (Part 1)

Is your teenager choosing friends or dating partners who treat them poorly? It is one of the most painful experiences for a mother to witness, yet traditional parenting often leads to the one thing we fear most: our child pulling away.

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, host Laura Ollinger sits down with pediatrician and parenting expert Kristen Cook, MD, to provide a roadmap for navigating toxic teen relationships. Whether you are dealing with a "mean girl" friendship dynamic or a red-flag romantic relationship, this conversation offers the neurological and tactical tools you need to maintain connection.

In this episode, Laura Ollinger and Dr. Kristen Cook discuss:

 * The Neuroscience of Social Rewards: Understand why the teen brain is biologically wired to prioritize peer approval over parental logic. Dr. Cook explains the role of the nucleus accumbens (an area of the brain that is connected to motivation and action) and why "bad" relationships often feel rewarding to a developing brain.
 * From Criticism to Curiosity: Learn the tactical "how-to" of intervening in unhealthy relationships. We discuss the power of the family meeting from a lens of prevention and how to ask open-ended questions that allow your teen to discover the truth for themselves without feeling controlled.
 * The Mirror Effect & Parental Self-Worth: We explore the deep connection between a mother's self-confidence and her child’s relationship choices. Discover why working on your own inner self-worth is often the most effective way to help your teen build their own.
 * Identifying Serious Red Flags: Dr. Cook outlines the physical and psychological signs of domestic abuse in teens and provides clear steps for when a parent needs to escalate the situation for safety.

Connect with our guest: Visit Kristen Cook, MD, at kristencookmd.com [https://www.kristencookmd.com/] to find her book, Parenting Redefined, and listen to her podcast, Mom Doc Talk [https://podlink.com/1783231798]. Or follow her on Instagram at @‌momdoctalk_kcmd [https://www.instagram.com/momdoctalk_kcmd/]

How to Talk to Your Teen About Unhealthy Friendships Without Them Shutting Down

Welcome back to Part 2 of our conversation with Coach Jace Riley, founder of @6AMPractice and dad of three athlete sons.

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast, host Laura Ollinger dives deeper with Coach Riley on the emotional realities of parenting student athletes — from jealousy between siblings, to frustration with coaches, to what to say when your kid is just done.

💬 This episode is about more than sports. It’s about team culture at home, how to handle tough seasons as a family, and why memories matter more than medals.

🔑 What You'll Learn in Part 2:

• Why your kid talks more to teammates than to you — and how to change that
• The emotional toll of raising athletes (and what moms can do to refuel)
• How to support siblings without creating competition
• What to say when your teen feels overlooked or "glazed" by coaches
• The key difference between support and over-involvement
• Creating a family experience around sports, no matter the win/loss
• How to reframe game-day frustrations into long-term resilience
• Coach Riley’s tools: Game Day Kit, Parent Playbook, and Reset Systems

👤 About Coach Jace Riley

 * Founder of @6AMPractice on Instagram (82k+ followers)
 * Former soccer and basketball coach
 * Dad of 3 athlete sons
 * Known for bridging the gap between “the parent’s heart and the athlete’s brain”

📩 Contact: coach@6ampractice.com

👩‍💻 Learn more:

🌐 positivelyhealthycoaching.com/podcast [https://positivelyhealthycoaching.com/podcast]
📘 Facebook: Positively Healthy Coaching
📸 Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching

🎧 If this episode helps you feel more confident as a sports parent, please like, comment, and share — it means the world to us!

6AM Practice Part 2 | The Positively Healthy Mom with Jace Riley

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast with your host, Laura Ollinger. This week, we’re joined by Coach Jace Riley—founder of @6amPractice and father of three athlete sons—for a high-impact conversation about what really goes on in the minds and homes of young athletes.

Jace shares how 6AM Practice was born, why hustle culture isn’t enough, and what parents actually need to say to their kids before and after the game. Whether your child is the star player, benchwarmer, or just trying to find their place, this episode is packed with perspective-shifting strategies that build connection, confidence, and communication.

💡 Highlights include:

 * The “Parent’s Heart, Athlete’s Brain” bridge
 * What to say (and not say) before a game
 * Nutrition, sleep, and screen time tips that actually stick
 * Turning game-day failures into powerful teaching moments

📲 Follow Coach Riley: https://www.instagram.com/6ampractice
🌐 More episodes: positivelyhealthycoaching.com/podcast [https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/podcast]
📸 Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching

🎧 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this with a fellow sports parent who needs to hear it.

6AM Practice | The Positively Healthy Mom with Jace Riley

What if one mindset shift could change how teens handle pressure, comparison, and setbacks for the rest of their lives?

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast, host Laura Olander, teen and parent wellbeing coach and founder of Positively Healthy Coaching, sits down with Chip Baker, a fourth-generation educator, bestselling author, and transformational speaker, to talk about growth, self-awareness, and building resilience in today’s teens.

Chip shares how his life experiences, systems-driven approach, and deep commitment to service shaped his journey as an educator and author of over 30 books. Together, Laura and Chip explore:

 * Why a growth mindset matters more now than ever for teens
 * How self-awareness and “noise cancellation” help teens block out comparison and outside pressure
 * The role gratitude plays in mental and emotional wellbeing
 * How parents can support confidence without feeding perfectionism
 * Why real growth comes from challenges, not comfort

This conversation is full of real-life wisdom, encouragement, and practical perspective for moms who want to help their teens grow into confident, grounded adults.

👤 About Our Guest

Chip Baker is a fourth-generation educator with over 26 years of experience as a teacher and coach. He is a multiple-time bestselling author (30+ books), podcaster, YouTuber, and transformational speaker. Chip is the creator and host of “Chip Baker – The Success Chronicles,” where he shares stories of inspiration, leadership, and service. His mission is simple: Live. Learn. Serve. Inspire.

🔗 Connect with Chip Baker

🌐 Website: https://www.wroteby.me/chipbaker
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chipbakertsc/
📘 Facebook: http://facebook.com/chipbakertsc
▶️ YouTube: http://youtube.com/c/ChipBakerTheSuccessChronicles
🔗 LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/chipbakerthesuccesschronicles

👍 Like, 💬 comment, 🔔 subscribe, and share this episode with a mom or teen who could use encouragement today.

#PositivelyHealthyMom #ChipBaker #GrowthMindset #TeenWellbeing #PositiveParenting #SelfAwareness #TeenConfidence

The Growth Mindset Every Teen Needs Right Now | The Positively Healthy Mom with Chip Baker

When we see our kids struggling, our instinct is to step in and help. But what if confidence is built not through fixing, but through patience, practice, and trust?

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast, host Laura Ollinger, teen and parent well-being coach and founder of Positively Healthy Coaching, sits down with Elizabeth Green, Founder of My Speech and Debate Coach, to talk about how kids and teens build real confidence through communication.

Elizabeth shares her personal journey from being an extremely shy child to becoming a broadcast news anchor, and how one teacher changed the trajectory of her life. Today, she leads a global team helping kids and teens build confidence, connection, and communication skills through public speaking and debate.

Together, Laura and Elizabeth explore:
• Why confidence grows through practice, not perfection
• How parents can support communication without rescuing
• The power of patience and the pause
• How to prompt meaningful conversations with kids and teens
• When to push kids outside their comfort zone
• Why praise matters more than critique
• The “4 P’s” of building confidence: Prompts, Patience, Push Them, Praise

This conversation is full of practical, real-life tools parents can use at home to help kids find and trust their voice.

✨ About Elizabeth Green
Elizabeth Green is the Founder of My Speech and Debate Coach. After overcoming extreme shyness and building a career in broadcast journalism, she now helps kids and teens around the world develop confidence and communication skills through public speaking and debate education.

🌐 Website: https://www.myspeechanddebatecoach.com [https://www.myspeechanddebatecoach.com/]
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myspeechanddebatecoach/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myspeechanddebatecoach
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@myspeechanddebatecoach

👩‍💻 About the Host
Laura Ollinger is a teen and parent well-being coach and the founder of Positively Healthy Coaching. Through coaching, education, and her podcast, Laura supports families in building emotional resilience, nervous system awareness, and healthy communication.

🌐 Podcast & Resources: https://positivelyhealthycoaching.com/podcast
📸 Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching
📘 Facebook: Positively Healthy Coaching

If this episode resonates, please like, subscribe, and share it with a parent who wants to raise confident, capable communicators.

Raising Confident Communicators | The Positively Healthy Mom with Elizabeth Green

Welcome to The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast! I’m your host, Laura Ollinger, teen and parent well-being coach—and today I’m joined by Laurie James, certified somatic practitioner, coach, author of Sandwiched, and host of Confessions of a Freebird podcast.

In this powerful episode, Laurie shares her deeply personal journey through caregiving, divorce, burnout, and healing—and how somatic experiencing helped her reconnect with her body, her emotions, and her true self. We dive into nervous system regulation, stress recovery, and practical somatic tools you can use today to calm your body and shift out of survival mode.

If you’ve ever felt like your body is holding onto more than your mind can process, this conversation is your invitation to slow down and finally listen.

💬 In This Episode:

• What is somatic healing—and how does it work?
• Signs your body may be dysregulated
• Laurie's journey through caregiving, motherhood, and divorce
• How to complete the fight-flight-freeze stress cycle
• Simple nervous system regulation tools you can use anytime
• Why burnout often shows up after everything “seems fine”
• The importance of rest, body awareness, and micro-moments of calm
• Grounding, orienting, and vagus nerve support techniques
• How moms can stop overriding their own needs
• How to teach teens self-regulation without pushing them into shutdown

📘 About Laurie James

Laurie James is a certified somatic practitioner and coach who helps women navigate midlife transitions with more calm, clarity, and connection. After raising four daughters while caregiving for her aging parents and experiencing the unraveling of her marriage, Laurie turned her healing journey into the memoir Sandwiched and now supports others through somatic coaching, nervous system education, and her podcast Confessions of a Freebird.

🔗 Connect with Laurie James

🌐 Website: laurieejames.com [https://www.laurieejames.com/]
📸 Instagram: @laurie.james [https://www.instagram.com/laurie.james/]
📘 Facebook: Laurie James [https://www.facebook.com/laurie.james.79219754]

🎧 Podcast: Confessions of a Freebird

📥 Free Guide: Beginner’s Guide to Somatic Healing (link in show notes)

👩‍💻 Learn more about the podcast:
🌐 positivelyhealthycoaching.com/podcast [https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/podcast]

📲 Follow us for more:
📘 Facebook: Positively Healthy Coaching
📸 Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching

✨ If this episode spoke to you, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with a fellow mom who could use more peace, body awareness, and breath today.

#somatichealing #nervoussystemregulation #mindbodyconnection #burnoutrecoveryjourney #momwellbeing #traumainformedparenting #midlifemomsupport #bodyawarenesstools #positivelyhealthymom #positivelyhealthycoaching

Understanding Somatic Healing | The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast with Laurie James

Welcome back to The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast! I’m your host, Laura Ollinger—teen and parent well-being coach—and today I’m joined by Taralee Eddington, Certified Relationship & Resilience Coach and founder of Peaceful Heart Journey. She’s also the host of The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee, where she helps families strengthen their most important relationships through emotional clarity and intentional communication.

In this heart-centered episode, Taralee introduces the STARVED needs framework—seven core needs that, when unmet, often lie at the heart of conflict in relationships. Together, we explore how to identify, communicate, and navigate these needs to create deeper connection, understanding, and peace at home.

Whether you're managing a marriage, raising teenagers, or trying to break free from overwhelm and resentment, this conversation offers practical, faith-grounded strategies to help you feel seen, supported, and stronger.

💬 In This Episode:
• What unmet needs may be fueling conflict in your home
• The 7 STARVED needs: Safety, Trust, Appreciation, Respect, Validation, Encouragement, Dedication
• How to communicate your needs without sounding like you're complaining
• Why “nagging” is often just an unmet need in disguise
• How to coach your teens through emotional growth with calm and clarity
• Letting go of control and parenting from peace, not fear
• Navigating adult children, boundaries, and broken expectations
• Why appreciation matters more than you think
• The truth about respect, autonomy, and letting go

📘 About Taralee Eddington
Taralee is a Certified Family Educator & Relationship Coach helping individuals, couples, and families move from conflict to connection through her signature FOCUS Framework™️. Her work is shaped by her own life as a wife and mom of three, her daughter’s cancer journey, and her mission to help others lead with peace and purpose. Her mantra: What you focus on expands.

🔗 Connect with Taralee
🌐 Website: peacefulheartjourney.com
📸 Instagram: @peacefulheartjourney
📘 Facebook: Peaceful Heart Journey
🎧 Podcast: The FOCUS Podcast with Taralee (new episodes every Friday)

👩‍💻 Learn more about the podcast:
🌐 positivelyhealthycoaching.com/podcast [https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/podcast]

📲 Follow us for more:
📘 Facebook: Positively Healthy Coaching
📸 Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching

✨ If this episode spoke to you, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with a fellow mom who could use a little more peace and connection.

#PositivelyHealthyMom #TaraleeEddington #UnmetNeeds #STARVEDFramework #RelationshipCoaching #PeacefulHeartJourney #MomBurnoutSupport #TeenParenting #MarriageCommunication #FaithCenteredParenting

Understanding Your Unmet Needs | The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast with Taralee Eddington

Welcome to another episode of The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast! I'm your host, Laura Ollinger—teen and parent well-being coach—and today I’m joined by Simone Knego, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and host of Her Unshakeable Confidence podcast.

Simone is a mom of six, a confidence coach, and a powerful advocate for women learning to lead and live from within. In this deeply honest and energizing conversation, she shares how real confidence is built—not born—and how moms can model leadership right from their own kitchen tables.

Whether you're navigating mom guilt, rediscovering your identity, or just feeling stuck in self-doubt, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom, laughter, and permission to be yourself.

💬 In This Episode
• Why confidence is a skill you can build
• Simone’s “REAL Method” for growing unshakeable confidence
• The truth about mom guilt, people-pleasing, and invisible labor
• Kitchen Table Leadership: what it means and why it matters
• How to stop saying “just a mom” and start owning your worth
• Simple mindset shifts to reset your day and self-talk
• How Simone’s daughter checked her in a Starbucks line 😄
• The power of modeling vs. managing for our kids
• Finding yourself again after the kids are grown

📘 About Simone Knego
Simone is the bestselling author of The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You and the upcoming book REAL Confidence: A Simple Guide to Go From Unsure to Unshakeable (out Feb 2025). She’s been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, and in Entrepreneur. Simone empowers women to quiet the “what if” whisperer, step into leadership, and celebrate who they already are.

🔗 Connect with Simone
🌐 Website: simoneknego.com [https://simoneknego.com/]
📸 Instagram: @simoneknego [https://www.instagram.com/simoneknego/]
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/SpeakerSimoneKnego [https://www.facebook.com/SpeakerSimoneKnego]
📺 YouTube: @her_unshakeable_confidence [https://www.youtube.com/@her_unshakeable_confidence]
💼 LinkedIn: Simone Knego [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simoneknego]

👩‍💻 Learn more about the podcast:
🌐 positivelyhealthycoaching.com/podcast [https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/podcast]

📲 Follow us for more:
📘 Facebook: Positively Healthy Coaching
📸 Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching

✨ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a mom who needs a reminder that she’s already extraordinary.

#PositivelyHealthyMom #SimoneKnego #REALConfidence #ConfidenceCoach #MomLeadership #HerUnshakeableConfidence #PositiveParenting #KitchenTableLeadership #MomLife #MotherhoodSupport #WomenWhoLead

Building Confidence for Moms | The Positively Healthy Mom with Simone Knego

Teens today are overwhelmed by pressure, comparison, and uncertainty—and parents often feel unsure how to help.

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast, host Laura Olinger talks with James McLamb, founder and CEO of Generation Youth, about the three biggest struggles teens face today and how we can guide them through self-image challenges, relationship stress, and finding purpose.

You’ll learn:
✨ What teens themselves say they’re struggling with most
✨ Why self-image shapes everything they do
✨ How relationship skills have changed since COVID
✨ Simple tools to help teens feel confident, grounded, and hopeful
✨ Why investing in mindset matters as much as academics or sports

This conversation will help you understand your teen on a deeper level—so you can support them with more clarity and confidence.

🔗 Connect with James

Website: https://generation-youth.com [https://generation-youth.com/]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/generation__youth/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC93wUrUA12HI_PXtEDLEwow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.mclamb1

Follow us for more: 📘 Facebook: Positively Healthy Coaching 📸 Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching

3 Core Challenges Youth Face | The Positively Healthy Mom with James McLamb

Welcome to The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast, your go-to spot for real talk and heartfelt guidance  on raising confident, motivated, and emotionally intelligent teens and tweens. Hosted by Teen & Parent Well-Being Coach Laura Ollinger, this show is all about helping you level up your confidence, deepen your connection, and master your emotions—both as a mom and as a woman. Get ready for inspiring stories, transformative tools (like breathwork and EFT), and candid conversations on everything from ADHD and co-parenting to boundaries and sex education. Each episode equips you with the mindset and skills to tackle challenges head-on while honoring your own health and wellness. Tune in and discover how to show up authentically for yourself and your family—one conversation at a time.


Follow:
IG - https://www.instagram.com/positivelyhealthycoaching/
FB - https://www.facebook.com/positivelyhealthycoaching
YT podcast - youtube.com/@thepositivelyhealthymom [https://www.youtube.com/@thepositivelyhealthymom]
YT coaching - www.youtube.com/@positivelyhealthycoaching [http://www.youtube.com/@positivelyhealthycoaching]
Web - https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/

Laura Ollinger is a Teen & Parent Well-Being Coach dedicated to helping moms of teens and tweens thrive. She holds a Master’s in Health and Wellness Education, is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and maintains multiple certifications—including Elite Certified Neuroencoding Specialist, Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach, Dr. Amen Brain Health Trainer, and certification from the HeartMath Institute in Stress, Anxiety, and Emotional Regulation.

As a mom of four (two boys and two girls aged 12–16) and the founder of Positively Healthy Coaching, Laura understands firsthand the challenges and rewards of parenting during the teen and tween years. Through her coaching programs and The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast, she equips parents with the mindset, skillset, and self-awareness needed to cultivate confidence, connection, and emotional mastery.

Learn more at www.thepositivelyhealthymom.com [http://www.thepositivelyhealthymom.com/].

The Positively Healthy Mom

Where Positive Parenting Meets Well-Being.

The Positively Healthy Mom

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