When it comes to raising little ones, we often feel as though we have a small village around us – in morning play groups, meeting other parents at tots’ birthday parties, or on the sides of sports fields. It can feel like we have it (mostly) under control. Until our child gradually emerges into their teen years and so much changes! It is a unique time for both you and your child.
Sometimes, everything you thought you knew goes out the window and you’re struggling to keep up. You look around and the village seems to have diminished. Raising Teens will be part of your support system – your village! There will be something here for everyone who cares for teens. Most importantly, this is your resource, so we want to hear from you – your challenges, your suggestions – you are part of this community.
For more information, expert advice or to ask Collett a question, visit raisingteens.au (https://www.raisingteenagers.com.au/).
The information provided on this podcast is for general educational purposes only and does not take into account your personal situation. It is not a substitute for professional advice. We recommend you seek a medical or healthcare professional if you are seeking advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au (http://www.hopepodcasts.com.au/). And send the team a message via the Hope website (https://hope1032.com.au/listen/podcasts/), Hope 103.2’s app (https://hope1032.com.au/listen/#apps), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Hope103.2) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sydneyshope1032/).
Fighting With Your Teen? How to Repair Before The Hols (Term Break)
Key Takeaways:
Conflict as Growth: Conflict is not a sign of a broken relationship but rather an indication of growth and developing individuality in teens.
Parental Influence: Parents play a crucial role in modeling healthy conflict resolution, setting the emotional precedent teens will carry into other relationships.
Importance of Repair: Relationships are strengthened not by the absence of conflict but by how effectively repair and reconnection occur post-disagreement.
Imperfect Repair: Repair does not need to be perfect or overly orchestrated; simple apologies and acknowledgments of emotions can suffice.
Long-term Skills: Teaching teens to navigate conflict and repair equips them with essential skills for future relationships and life challenges.
Notable Quotes:
"What if conflict isn't evidence of a broken relationship? What if it is evidence that your relationship is simply growing?"
"The repair is where trust is built because repair gives us evidence that the relationship is resilient."
"Parents set the emotional tone; we're the ones modeling what adults do when relationships are strained."
"Just moving on is not the same as repair. That often just builds resentment or hurt in our young people."
"Apologising isn't weakness. Apologising is strength. Healthy relationships aren't built by perfect people."
Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate (https://hope1032.com.au/donate)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
26 Aug 2026
Overparenting Your Teen: Why Less Is More | Dr. Jenny Brown
Head over to the win page of Hope1032 (https://hope1032.com.au/win/) to snag a chance to win one of the two copies of Dr. Jenny Brown: The Parenting Paradox (https://parenthopeproject.com.au/the-parenting-paradox-new-book-2026-bloomsbury/) valued at $50 each.
About the Guest:
Dr. Jenny Brown is an Australian family therapist, researcher, author, and educator whose work focuses on family systems theory, parenting, and child and adolescent mental health. She has worked in family therapy and child and family mental health since the 1980s and is the co-founder and Director Emeritus of the Family Systems Institute, as well as the founder of the Family Systems Practice and Parent Hope Project. She has authored and contributed to numerous professional publications and books, including Growing Yourself Up, Facilitating Parent Agency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Helplessness to Hope, and The Parenting Paradox, published by Bloomsbury. Drawing on more than 35 years of clinical, research, and teaching experience, Dr. Brown offers a family-systems perspective on parenting, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.
Key Takeaways:
The trend of professionalized parenting has raised expectations, leading some parents to overextend in their roles.
Emphasizing self-awareness, Dr. Brown advocates for parents to focus on their reactions rather than attempting to constantly fix their child's behavior.
Implementing 'I' positions rather than 'you' directives helps establish clear boundaries and encourages children to develop problem-solving skills.
Normal variations in children's moods and behaviors are often misdiagnosed; parents should be cautious about labeling.
Over-regulating teenagers can inadvertently increase their anxiety; balanced boundaries and clear family values are crucial.
Notable Quotes:
"When we stop trying to change our children, we start to see them start changing themselves gradually."
"The first parenting manuals were published in the 1920s. That was the start of therapeutic approaches to parenting."
"Ultimately, we will get caught in a futile power struggle if we're over-focusing on trying to get compliance."
"Parents don't need to be led by every mood and behavioral trigger in their kids."
"My hope is that parents will not love their children less. They'll just discover new ways to direct their love."
Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate (https://hope1032.com.au/donate)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
18 Aug 2026
Teach Teens to Care About Others, Not Just Themselves
Key Takeaways:
Adolescence is a naturally introspective time; however, guiding teens to look beyond themselves can enhance empathy.
Getting involved in causes that matter to teens transforms community service from a chore into a meaningful activity.
Small, local acts of kindness can significantly affect the community and foster empathy in teens.
Integrating service as a family activity strengthens family bonds and emphasises the importance of community involvement.
Raising compassionate adults involves encouraging teens to ask, "How can I help?" rather than just "What do I want?"
Notable Quotes:
"Adolescence is a time of introspection, and it's normal to be focused on yourself as a teenager."
"Helping others builds confidence, increases empathy, and gives our teens the sense that they can make a difference in the world."
"Ask your teen, 'What problem in the world bothers you? Or who would you like to help if you could?'"
"One of the biggest myths is that making a difference needs huge commitment and huge effort."
"In a world that so often encourages our teens to focus on themselves… we're trying to raise compassionate adults."
Resources:
Follow Collett Smart on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/collettsmart/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/collettsmart/).
Learn more on Collett Smart’s website: www.collettsmart.com (https://www.collettsmart.com)
Click here (mailto:info@raisingteenagers.com.au) to contact Collett or ask her a question or Click here (https://hope1032.com.au/show/raising-teens/) to contact the Raising Teens team.
Collett is a psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, and internationally published author, with 25 years' experience working in private and public schools, as well as in private practice.
Visit Raising Teens (http://raisingteens.au/) for more resources, click here (https://collettsmart.com/resources/) for Collett's books, or join the discussion on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/collettsmart/).
Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au (http://www.hopepodcasts.com.au/). And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app (https://hope1032.com.au/listen/#apps), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Hope103.2) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sydneyshope1032/).
Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate (https://hope1032.com.au/donate)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
7,323,554
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
16 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
