How can parents support a teenager or young adult with ADHD without taking over their executive function systems? In this  episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, I explore how to help teens with ADHD build planning, time management, and emotional regulation skills using small, manageable steps.

This episode is for moms of teens and young adults who want to replace conflict, worry, and over-functioning with calm, connection, confidence, and healthy independence.

Key Conversations For Moms Of ADHD Teens and Young Adults

 * Understanding executive functioning challenges and working memory in teens
 * Why traditional color-coded calendars and rigid systems often fail ADHDers
 * Three essential questions to help your teen plan without nagging
 * Managing uncomfortable emotions, perfectionism, and shame around ADHD

Meet Your Host, Laura Ollinger:

Laura Ollinger is a teen and young adult well-being coach who helps moms of teens and young adults build confidence, connection, emotional resilience, and healthier communication at home.

Resources and Links For Moms Of Teens And Young Adults

 * Coaching might help you or your teen find the confidence, connection and direction you need in this season of teen and young adult life. Reach out when you are ready to learn more about this personalized approach. https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/coaching-parents
 * Let’s Connect On Instagram @positivelyhealthycoaching [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/positivelyhealthycoaching]
 * Rate this podcast! [https://ratethispodcast.com/tphmom] Please take 60 seconds to leave me a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your review helps other tired, searching moms find our community!

Helping Your Teen With ADHD Navigate High School and College Stress

What is the difference between fitting in and belonging for teenagers?

Fitting in versus belonging is one of the quietest, heaviest struggles our teenagers face, and it is something we grapple with as adults too. If your teen is changing how they act, dress, or speak just to get a seat at the table—or hurting because they feel left out—I want you to know there is no judgment here.

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom podcast, where positive parenting meets wellbeing, we explore what it really means to move away from people-pleasing and toward authentic connection. We break down four small, manageable steps to help teenagers discover who they are, handle social risks, and realize that their worth was never up for debate.

This episode is for moms of teens and young adults who want to replace worry and over-functioning with confidence, connection and direction.

Highlights For Moms Of Teens & Young Adults In This Episode:

 * Understanding the core difference between changing yourself to fit in and being accepted for who you are
 * How to help your teenager build an identity independent of peer approval
 * Managing the heavy emotions of social rejection and minor teenage heartbreak without stepping in to fix everything
 * Taking small, intentional social risks to build genuine confidence over time

Question & Answer For Moms of Teens & Young Adults

What should I do when my teenager gets left out or feels like they don't have a friend group?

Sometimes they need you to acknowledge just how much it hurts before they are ready to hear any advice. You can validate their disappointment without agreeing with the negative story that something is wrong with them.

Connect with Me:

I’m Laura Ollinger, a teen and young adult well-being coach who helps moms of teens and young adults build the confidence, connection, and direction they need to guide their teen towards becoming an independent and responsible adult.

Resources and Links For Moms Of Teens And Young Adults

 * Coaching might help you or your teen find the confidence, connection and direction you need in this season of teen and young adult life. Reach out when you are ready to learn more about this personalized approach. https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/coaching-parents
 * Let’s Connect On Instagram @positivelyhealthycoaching [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/positivelyhealthycoaching]
 * Rate this podcast! [https://ratethispodcast.com/tphmom] Please take 60 seconds to leave me a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your review helps other tired, searching moms find our community!

Fitting In vs. Belonging: Helping Teens Find Their People

What Are Practical Ways to Support Teens Through College Applications?

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, where positive parenting meets wellbeing, I sit down with college consultant and founder of Your College Process, Lisa Goldstein, to talk about how we can navigate the college admissions journey without letting anxiety, comparison culture, and constant nagging take over our homes.

This episode is for moms of teens and young adults who want to replace college prep stress and family friction with confidence, connection, and calm direction.

In This Episode:

 * Filtering out social media noise and neighborhood comparison culture
 * Setting a dedicated weekly college talk boundary to protect family peace
 * Shifting from fear-based parent pressure to compassionate connection
 * Helping teens take ownership of their own college journey

Meet Our Expert, Lisa Goldstein:

Lisa Goldstein holds a master's degree in Counselor Education from Hofstra University and has more than 20 years of experience guiding students and families through their academic journeys. As the founder of Your College Process, she provides personalized, one-on-one college admissions guidance and is the author of The Compassionate College Process: Guiding Your Teen With Less Stress and More Joy.

 * Website: Your College Process [https://www.yourcollegeprocess.com/]
 * Instagram: @yourcollegeprocess [https://www.instagram.com/yourcollegeprocess]

Connect With Your Host, Laura Ollinger

 * Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching [https://www.instagram.com/positivelyhealthycoaching]
 * Schedule A Coaching Call with me here! [https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/coaching-parents]
 * Rate this podcast! [https://ratethispodcast.com/tphmom] Please take 60 seconds to leave me a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your review helps other tired, searching moms find our community!

Navigating College Admissions Stress: Building Boundaries Around College Talk

What Causes Teen Boys to Cross Boundaries Online and Offline?

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, I am exploring what it really takes to raise respectful, confident young men in today's cultural landscape. Moving past surface-level messaging, we look at how to guide our teenage and college-age sons through complex topics like media influences, locker room culture, handling rejection, and building genuine self-worth.

This episode is for moms of teenage and college-age sons who want to navigate difficult cultural conversations with curiosity, build deep connection, and foster emotional resilience at home.

Key Conversations in This Episode:

 * Moving beyond the surface-level consent conversation to understand what drives teen behavior.
 * Staying curious about the online messages and influences our sons absorb.
 * Examining when locker room talk crosses the line from harmless teasing into harmful behavior.
 * Helping teens develop the emotional resilience to handle rejection and boundaries.

Let’s Keep The Conversation Going

I’m Laura Ollinger, a teen and parent well-being coach who helps moms of teens and young adults build confidence, connection, emotional resilience, and healthier communication at home.

Book a coaching call [https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/our-approach] with me! | Connect on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/positivelyhealthycoaching] | Rate & Review the podcast! [https://ratethispodcast.com/tphmom]

Raising Respectful Teenage Sons: Beyond the Consent Conversation

Why does my teenager always agree with others and avoid sharing their real opinion?

When teenagers or young adults continuously defer to others, avoid conflict, or struggle to state simple preferences, they may be relying on protective adaptations like people-pleasing to feel safe.

In this episode, I speak with Certified Trauma Care Practitioner Stacey Uhrig about how these learned behaviors take root. We explore how understanding these protective “parts” allows us to foster true self-expression.

What You’ll Hear:

 * The distinction between operating from your core Self versus being led by protective parts like the perfectionist or peacekeeper
 * How childhood environmental assessments lead to adaptations such as conflict avoidance and extreme caretaking
 * The roles of manager parts and firefighter responses in soothing overwhelm, anxiety, or internal distress
 * Practical ways parents can notice when their own protective responses get triggered during conflict with their children
 * How shifting to compassionate inquiry helps break cycles of household tension and build authentic connection

If you are worried that your teen's high drive or quiet compliance is masking deep stress, this episode gives you the framework to understand their inner world. It offers practical encouragement to help you guide your child toward genuine self-worth and lasting well-being. You will walk away with a fresh lens for seeing past the defensive mask and supporting your teen with steady confidence.

Guest Bio: Stacey Uhrig is a mom of two, certified trauma care practitioner, author, speaker, host of the Flip Your Mindset [https://flipyourmindset.substack.com/podcast]podcast, and founder of Flip Your Mindset. Drawing from her personal journey with anxiety and her professional expertise, she helps individuals understand anxiety, overwhelm, perfectionism, and people-pleasing by exploring the underlying experiences and adaptations behind them.

Connect with Stacey Uhrig: Flipyourmindset.com [http://www.flipyourmindset.com/] | Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/staceyuhrig] | YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/@flipyourmindset]

Connect with Me!
Book a coaching call [https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/our-approach] with me!
Connect on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/positivelyhealthycoaching] | Rate & Review the podcast! [https://ratethispodcast.com/tphmom]

Why Teens Become People Pleasers and How Parents Can Help

Why am I having homework battles with my teen?

This week I’m talking about outsourcing academic struggles and setting healthy boundaries around schoolwork. This episode will help explain who your teen will actually listen to about their study habits and why it’s not you. 

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, I sit down with Amanda Martin, founder of Studyville®, to discuss taking the homework battle out of the house. Amanda shares how she created academic workspaces to help parents move from being taskmasters back to supportive guides. This one is even for moms of those straight A students, because it might be time to rethink tutoring for your teen.

In this episode:

 * Why school friction is often an organizational challenge, not a capability issue
 * How peer-level mentors and college tutors motivate teens more effectively than parents
 * Reframing tests and grades as "door openers" rather than identity markers
 * The importance of letting teens experience safe failure to build long-term resilience
 * If pressure to get into that ivy league school is ruining your teen's mental health

This episode is for moms of teens looking to replace daily school friction with confidence, connection, and peace.

Guest Bio: Amanda Martin is the founder of Studyville®, an innovative academic workspace reimagining tutoring for students nationwide. Named one of America's Top Small Businesses by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2023, Studyville helps families take the homework fight out of the home.

Connect with Amanda Martin Website [https://studyville.com/tutors-and-admin/amanda-martin/] |Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/studyvillebr/?hl=en] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOiX9nsYzczBOO0td9tw3nw]

Ready to build a calmer home? Book a coaching call with Laura today! https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/coaching-parents  [https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/coaching-parents]

Taskmaster to Mom: Ending Academic Power Struggles With Your Teen

What should I do when I find candy wrappers under my teen’s bed?

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom podcast I am sitting down with Dr. Wendy Schofer to help us understand coping mechanisms our teens are using and how to get curious about them without shame. Listen to improve your parent–teen communication as we are shifting the perspective from control and judgment and moving toward curious connections around the topics of teen sleep, teen screens, and teen snacks.

Together, we examine why traditional "evidence-based" plans often create friction at home, how parent burnout influences family habits, and why screens and sweet treats are frequently just coping mechanisms for anxiety and overwhelm.

This episode is for moms of teens and young adults who want to foster healthier family lifestyle habits and deepen their parent–teen relationship through small steps.

In this episode:

 * Why traditional plans create family friction and how to shift to an ally-based approach with your teen.
 * How to respond when you find candy wrappers under the bed without using shame or restriction.
 * The hidden connection between sleep, social connections, screens, and emotional eating.
 * Practical ways to move from "high alert" fix-it energy to compassionate curiosity.

About My Guest, Dr. Wendy Schofer —a dual-board certified pediatrician, lifestyle physician, trauma-informed parenting coach, and founder of Family in Focus®. Connect with Dr. Wendy Schofer: www.WendySchoferMD.com [http://www.wendyschofermd.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wendyschofermd] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@wendyschofermd]

Connect With Me, Your Host, Laura Ollinger - Ready to build connection and confidence with your teen? Book a coaching call [https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/connect] with me at Positively Healthy Coaching or inquire about booking me as a speaker [https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/lauraollinger] for your next event! Connect with me: @positivelyhealthycoaching [https://www.instagram.com/positivelyhealthycoaching/]

Rate this podcast! [https://ratethispodcast.com/tphmom] Please take 60 seconds to leave me a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your review helps other tired, searching moms find our community!

Parent–Teen Communication: How to Stop Fighting Over Food and Screens

How can parents help teens build courage and manage social anxiety?

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, I sit down with Jennifer S. Miller, MEd., an author and expert with over 30 years of experience working with educators and families to support child and teen development.

We explore the vital distinction between temporary bravery and true courage habits, offering actionable guidance for parents of teens navigating high school pressure, social anxiety, and college transitions.

Key Conversations on Social Anxiety in Teens:

 * Understanding why courage requires a pause and inner stillness rather than impulsive bravery
 * Navigating social anxiety and helping teens build the courage to form authentic connections
 * Supporting college students through loneliness without over-parenting or stepping in to fix things

Questions & Answers For Moms of Teens & Young Adults

What is the difference between bravery and courage in teen development?

Bravery relies on impulsive, primitive brain responses to immediate danger. Courage requires an intentional pause and stillness to access inner wisdom and choose action in service of a noble goal.

How can I support my teen when they struggle with social anxiety or making friends?

Normalize social anxiety as a natural byproduct of expanding social awareness. Encourage in-person practice in low-stakes environments and allow your teen to navigate social discomfort rather than fixing it for them.

Meet Our Expert: Jennifer S. Miller, MEd.

For over thirty years, Jennifer Miller has worked with educators and families to help them become more effective with children and teens by understanding and supporting their learning and development. She is the author of Confident Parents, Confident Kids and her upcoming book Humanaissance: Igniting Courage In Our Teens and Ourselves.

Connect with Jennifer Miller:

 * Website: confidentparentsconfidentkids.org [https://confidentparentsconfidentkids.org/about-the-blog/about-the-author/?utm_source=gemini]
 * Instagram: @jennifersmithmiller1 [https://www.instagram.com/jennifersmithmiller1/?utm_source=gemini]
 * LinkedIn: Jennifer S. Miller [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifersmiller1/&utm_source=gemini]

Connect With Your Host, Laura Ollinger

 * Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching [https://www.instagram.com/positivelyhealthycoaching/]
 * Rate this podcast! [https://ratethispodcast.com/tphmom] Please take 60 seconds to leave me a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your review helps other tired, searching moms find our community!
 * Looking for a speaker for your next event with teens or parents? Let's talk about how my expertise can elevate your event. [https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/speakingtoparents]

Why Your Teen Needs Courage (Not Bravery) to Survive High School & Beyond

How can I prepare my high-achieving teen to handle real-world pressure, stress, and independence before they leave home?

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, host Laura sits down with Rafael McMaster, Executive Director of Indivisible Arts, artist, author, and youth mental health advocate.

High-achieving teens often look completely prepared on paper, yet struggle with deep overwhelm, perfectionism, and stress when facing real-world independence—whether heading off to college, stepping into the workforce, or facing high-pressure environments like military bootcamp. Rafael breaks down the fundamental emotional arithmetic every teen needs before launching, sharing how peer mentorship, creative expression, and metacognition can transform youth mental health.

Key Conversations in This Episode:

 * The 7 core life tools every teenager needs for emotional resilience and mental stability
   
 * Why high-performing teens often listen to outside mentors and peers over their own parents, and how this might not be 100% true.
   
 * How practicing metacognition and thought-watching helps teens navigate anxiety and daily stressors
   
 * Real-world success stories of athletic teams practicing awareness
   
 * Real-world success stories of teens applying these tools in college, high-stakes environments, and leadership roles
   
 * Simple daily practices like the ABCs of the Heart to help teens lead from connection rather than constant analysis

Questions & Answers For Moms of Teens & Young Adults

Q: Why do smart teens struggle with stress when leaving home?
A: Academic and extracurricular skills do not automatically equal emotional readiness. Without basic mental health fundamentals like radical acceptance, self-compassion, and metacognition, teens lack the framework to process intense pressure on their own terms.Meet Our Expert, Rafael McMaster:

Rafael McMaster is the Executive Director of Indivisible Arts, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth through mindfulness, creativity, and consciousness. He is also the founder of the RSN creative lab and the South Bay Artist Collective in Hermosa Beach, California, blending creative expression with youth mentorship to build emotional resilience in the next generation.

Guest Links:

 * https://www.rafaelmcmaster.com/
 * https://www.indivisiblearts.org/
 * Instagram: @mcmaster.peace [https://www.instagram.com/mcmaster.peace/] | @indivisible_arts [https://www.instagram.com/indivisible_arts/]
 * YouTube: @indivisiblearts [https://www.youtube.com/@indivisiblearts]
 * Book: Fundamental Life Tools [https://www.amazon.com/Fundamental-Life-Tools-Self-Empowering-Toolkit/dp/B0F89P3MBL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5TT1GHU6U06E&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.k4kSjqa1a7ZIxzumeDC-f1tzOoeBKAZM3YBdicDxhOX8aZSkuB8NeB0MzK7dOvyyXeP85cSqA9-SYXDiQINNiEcI3vqEJf3L9ngEWERCJEeYgM9ixnQbw7ossjBBS1fT4jm1pV0hnpkbdhgxzNfW7c-2WwgL8qGT6_5H7bGJdSNZkddE18T_awkpZ92wd7YOc3T73cQmTNY1CqTmqrnDQFCivXk_3CbsmZ3ydNXmahNiuxMyHqoIUBdQR6mIVFkKDyM1kUT66kuRi4-sCqR1m_lR7ldmdZCEWRaz0N1ugG4.AMHwfEOnq8ATNcSR-9zC-0tg8WUlbwx5XOXcTt-_WH0&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+fundamental+life+tools&qid=1789403439&sprefix=the+fundamental+life+tools%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-1]

Connect With Your Host, Laura Ollinger [https://www.instagram.com/positivelyhealthycoaching/]
Rate This Podcast [https://ratethispodcast.com/tphmom]

Before Your Teen Leaves: 7 Life Tools Every Teen Needs for College & Beyond

How Do I Help My College Freshman Who Is Lonely and Struggling to Adjust?

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, Laura is here for a rare solo episode. This episode dives into navigating the social adjustment period of college, helping parents learn how to validate their freshman's feelings and lend them confidence without taking over or micromanaging.

Laura Ollinger is giving moms of freshman college students the advice and encouragement they need right now in this short 18-minute episode. For personalized coaching with your teen or young adult, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Key Conversations in This Episode

 * Reminder that curated social media feeds create a false perception of how fast everyone else is fitting in
 * Why stepping back and allowing your student to experience discomfort builds essential autonomy
 * How micromanaging from a distance accidentally sends a message that you do not believe they are capable
 * Simple ways to help your freshman challenge extreme, black-and-white thinking about their college experience
 * How sharing your own unwavering belief in your child serves as a safety net during hard moments

Question & Answer For Moms of College Freshmen

Q. What should I do when my college freshman calls me complaining that they are lonely or struggling to make friends?

A. Validate their feelings instead of trying to fix the situation. Remind them that social media highlights are curated and fitting in takes time. Avoid doing the work for them, such as sending club lists, as taking control can signal a lack of confidence in their ability. Instead, offer gentle support to take small baby steps together and show them that you fully believe in their capability to navigate hard things.

Connect With Your Host, Laura Ollinger

 * Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching [https://www.instagram.com/positivelyhealthycoaching/]
 * Looking For A Speaker For You’re Next Event, Let’s Chat! [https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/lauraollinger]
 * Rate this podcast! [https://ratethispodcast.com/tphmom] If this episode gave you a glimmer of hope or a new path forward for your family, please take 60 seconds to leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your review helps other tired, searching moms find our community!

College Freshman Loneliness: How Parents Can Help Without Taking Control

Where Positive Parenting Meets Well-Being.

The Positively Healthy Mom (@lauraollinger) · Zencastr

The Positively Healthy Mom (@lauraollinger)

Mastering Parenting Teenagers with Confidence & Connection

Stop nagging and start connecting. The Positively Healthy Mom is the essential resource for moms of teens and preteens who want to navigate the "messy middle" of adolescence without losing themselves. Hosted by Teen & Young Adult Well-Being Coach Laura Ollinger, this podcast is built on a singular truth: a healthy, regulated mother is the secret to a thriving home.

Do you find yourself asking:

 * How do I connect with my teen without them shutting down or exploding?
 * How do I support my teen’s mental health and anxiety without making it worse?
 * What do I need to know about the teen brain to communicate better?

Every Wednesday, Laura brings you deep-dive conversations with neuroscientists, child therapists, coaches and academic strategists to provide real-time answers to the complex issues families face today.

What We Solve Together:

 * Teen Mental Health & Resilience: Research-backed strategies for raising resilient teenagers in high-pressure school and sports environments.
 * Neurobiology & Positive Parenting: Understanding the teen brain to move from a relationship of control to one of deep, lasting connection.
 * Maternal Well-Being & Burnout Recovery: Tactical time management and emotional regulation tools (EFT, HeartMath, and breathwork) to help you reclaim your identity.
 * Digital Wellness: Navigating social media boundaries, cell phone contracts, and screen time.
 * College & Academic Strategy: Expert insights on college admissions and academic pressure.

About Your Host:

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/].

Connect with Laura:

 * Web: Positively Healthy Coaching [https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/]
 * Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching [https://www.instagram.com/positivelyhealthycoaching/]
 * YouTube: The Positively Healthy Mom Channel [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ5I6vth0jNo1cG_bgGW5MgF86mc9sI-R]