The Secret To Truly Connecting With Your Teen (From a Foster Dad of 47)
If your teen feels distant, defiant, or shuts you out, youâre not alone â and thereâs hope. In this powerful episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, foster and adoptive dad Peter Mutabazi shares life-changing strategies for reconnecting with even the most resistant teenagers.
A survivor of childhood abuse and homelessness whoâs since fostered 47 children, Peter explains why teens are actually âeasierâ to parent than younger kids and how shifting from an authoritarian approach to a mentorship mindset transforms relationships.
Youâll discover practical, trauma-informed parenting tools that help you lower conflict, rebuild trust, and guide your teen without power struggles. Whether youâre overwhelmed by defiance, craving deeper connection, or simply want to better understand your teen, this episode gives you the roadmap to start fresh and help your teen thrive.
đ WHAT YOUâLL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE
How a foster dad successfully parents 47 teenagers using mentorship instead of control.
Why your teenâs âacting outâ isnât about you â and how understanding hormones, trauma, and development changes your response.
Simple daily habits that build trust and confidence in defiant or withdrawn teens.
The âthree-person approachâ to teen behavior that makes even tough parenting moments feel manageable.
đ§â€ïž ENJOYING THE SHOW?
Donât keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! Thanks so much for your support! đđ«
đ Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! đ
đ RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
@fosterdadflipps
Facebook: Foster Dad Flipper
TikTok: Now I Am Known
đ§ââïž CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell
Website: askdrcam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
TikTok: @the.teen.translator
YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam
Facebook: @DrCamCaswell
â± EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Parenting Challenges with Teens
01:20 Peterâs Inspiring Journey from Uganda
06:50 The Impact of Being Seen and Known
09:55 Navigating the Foster Care System
12:09 Building Trust with Foster Teens
13:35 Mentorship vs. Parenting: A New Approach
17:41 Understanding Teen Trauma and Behavior
20:21 The Importance of Not Projecting Past Experiences
23:50 Celebrating Small Wins in Parenting
28:14 Finding Time and Patience in a Busy Household
29:57 Using Social Media to Change Narratives
35:01 Finding Joy in Parenting
38:38 Key Takeaways for Parents
đĄ 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR PARENTS OF TEENS
Start Fresh Daily â Treat each incident as new and avoid bringing up past mistakes.
Celebrate Small Wins â Notice and praise even minor positive behaviors to build momentum.
Schedule Individual Connection Time â One-on-one outings strengthen trust without distractions.
Apply the Three-Person Approach â View your teen as a mix of hormones, trauma, and typical development to respond with empathy.
Shift from Parent to Mentor â Guide rather than control, meeting your teen where they are emotionally and developmentally.
đ ABOUT THE SHOW
The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.
Whether youâre struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.
#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #traumainformedparenting #teenmentorship
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42:26
Why Your Teen Stinks (and Doesnât Seem to Care)âand How to Fix It Without Nagging
Struggling with your teenâs hygiene habits? Youâre not alone. Many parents face daily battles over showers, deodorant, and brushing teethâleaving everyone frustrated. In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, I sit down with Carly Broderick, founder of Myles Personal Care, a gender-inclusive hygiene brand created just for teens and tweens.
Carly shares how her own experience parenting through puberty inspired her to create practical solutions for families. We dive into the real reasons teens resist basic hygieneâfrom pubertyâs âhurricane effectâ to product sensitivities and even rebellion. More importantly, Carly provides science-backed strategies and her simple SSB routine that transforms daily fights into lasting healthy habits.
Whether your teen is entering puberty or in the thick of it, this episode will give you compassionate, effective strategies to replace nagging and shaming with empowering routines that help your teen feel confident in their own skin.
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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE
Why nagging and shaming actually backfire when it comes to teen hygiene
The science behind why teens often donât notice their own body odor
Carlyâs proven SSB routine that makes hygiene habits stick
How to reframe hygiene as confidence and maturityânot just compliance
đ§â€ïž ENJOYING THE SHOW?
Donât keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! đđ«
đ Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! đ
Â
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Myles Personal Care Amazon Store â Use code DRCAMFAN20 for 20% off
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CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Carly Broderick
Website: hey-miles.com
Facebook: @hey.miles.teen
Instagram: @heymilesbrand
LinkedIn: Carly Broderick
TikTok: @heymilesbrand
Amazon Store: Myles Personal Care (use code DRCAMFAN20 for 20% off)
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CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
TikTok: @the.teen.translator
YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam
Facebook: @DrCamCaswell
EPISODE CHAPTERS:
00:00 Understanding Teen Hygiene Resistance
02:41 Creating Inclusive Personal Care Products
05:34 The Importance of Effective Deodorants
08:36 Navigating the Spectrum of Masculinity and Femininity
11:30 Building Healthy Hygiene Routines
14:18 Addressing Social Pressures and Body Odor Awareness
17:05 Encouraging Ownership of Personal Care
19:51 Simplifying Shower Routines
22:40 Final Thoughts and Practical Tips
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ABOUT THE SHOW
The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. Whether youâre struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.
#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #teenhygiene #parentingtips
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How to Talk to Your Teen About Porn Before the Internet Does
Breaking the Endless Argument Cycle With Your Teen (Without More Consequences)
PODCAST SHOW NOTES FORMAT
Are you stuck in what feels like an emotional Groundhog Day with your teenâwhere the same arguments, defiance, and standoffs keep repeating? Youâre not alone. In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, I sit down with therapist and bestselling author Kati Morton to uncover why punishment-based parenting fails with teenagers and how to finally break these frustrating cycles.
Kati explains that adolescence is about independence-seeking, not rebellionâand when parents try to control teens with consequences, they often fuel the very behaviors they want to stop. Instead, she offers science-backed strategies that shift the focus from control to influence, using curiosity and connection to build lasting respect and trust.
From handling risky teen behaviors to creating space for authentic conversations, this episode gives you practical tools and a fresh perspective. If youâre tired of repeating the same exhausting battles, this conversation will help you hit reset and start building a calmer, more connected relationship with your teen.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE
Why punishing your teen often makes behavior worse, not better
The game-changing shift from control to influence
How to stay calm and use âwise mindâ during heated conflicts
Simple ways to spark honest conversations without forcing it
đ§â€ïž ENJOYING THE SHOW?
Donât keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! Thanks so much for your support! đđ«
đ Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! đ
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Kati Mortonâs upcoming book: Why Do I Keep Doing This? (Releases December 9)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Emotion Mind vs. Wise Mind
Skinner Box research on punishment effectiveness
Parts work therapy for emotional responses
CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Kati Morton
đ Website
đ Facebook
đž Instagram
â¶ïž YouTube
đ” TikTok
CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
TikTok: @the.teen.translator
YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam
Facebook: @DrCamCaswell
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Breaking the Emotional Groundhog Day Cycle
03:01 Understanding the Illusion of Control in Parenting
05:56 Navigating Independence and Communication with Teens
08:46 The Importance of Honesty and Vulnerability
11:44 Empathy and Understanding in Parenting Teens
14:50 Addressing Risky Behaviors in Teens
20:11 Understanding Risky Behaviors in Teens
21:27 The Ineffectiveness of Punishment
23:49 Curiosity Over Judgment
25:16 The Importance of Understanding Teen Behavior
27:09 Building Trust and Influence
29:21 The Role of Communication in Parenting
31:38 Repairing Relationships After Mistakes
38:40 The Power of Curiosity in Parenting
ABOUT THE SHOW
The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. Whether youâre struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.
#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #parentingteens #teenbehavior
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How to Stop Walking on Eggshells With Your Teenager: A Clinical Psychologist's Game-Changing Approach
Do you feel like youâre constantly walking on eggshells with your teenâafraid that one wrong word will set off an argument? Youâre not alone. In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, I sit down with Dr. Jenny Hwang, a clinical psychologist and parent coach with more than 20 years of experience helping families navigate emotional chaos and conflict.
Dr. Hwang reveals why traditional âboundariesâ backfire with teens, the surprising truth about why parents end up feeling walked over, and how to set limits in a way that actually works. Her grounded, no-nonsense approach is a game-changer for parents who are tired of power struggles and ready for peace.
If youâre ready to stop the exhausting cycle of battles and create a calmer, more respectful home, this episode is for you.
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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE
Why most parents misunderstand what boundaries actually are
The difference between rules that control vs. boundaries that empower
How to handle disrespectful communication without losing your cool
Why your teenâs push for independence isnât rebellionâitâs healthy development
đ§â€ïž ENJOYING THE SHOW?
Donât keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! Thanks so much for your support! đđ«
đ Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! đ
Â
CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Dr. Jenny Hwang
Instagram: @ProjectParentCoach
YouTube: @ProjectParentCoach
Â
CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
TikTok: @the.teen.translator
YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam
Facebook: @DrCamCaswell
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 â Understanding Boundaries with Teens
04:27 â Defining Boundaries: What Parents Need to Know
08:01 â Overstepping Boundaries: The Parent-Teen Dynamic
12:17 â Navigating Emotional Triggers and Responses
17:37 â The Importance of Mutual Respect
21:39 â Learning to Say No: Establishing Limits
25:45 â The Challenge of Control in Parenting
30:34 â The Power of Presence and Attention
35:08 â Social Media and Parenting: A New Frontier
38:43 â Key Takeaways: Empowering Parents to Set Boundaries
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ABOUT THE SHOW
The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.
Whether youâre struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.
#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #teenboundaries #parentingteens
Parenting Teens Got You Stressed? đïž Dr. CamâThe Teen TranslatorâHas Answers!
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is the go-to podcast for parents who are ready to get real about raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswellâadolescent psychologist, certified parenting coach, and mom of a teenâthis podcast is all about honest conversations that dive deep into the challenges parents face and providing actionable solutions that actually work.
Dr. Cam doesnât just talk theoriesâshe shares real-life insights and strategies based on over a decade of experience and the struggles she faces as a mom herself. Every episode offers practical, science-backed solutions to help you understand your teen, improve communication, and build a stronger relationship. Whether youâre dealing with mood swings, defiance, anxiety, or social media issues, youâll find easy-to-apply advice that makes a difference.
No interviews hereâjust authentic conversations that get to the heart of what parents are really dealing with. With a mix of expert tips and Dr. Camâs own relatable stories, youâll walk away with the tools you need to tackle even the toughest teen challenges with confidence.
#Parenting #ParentingTips #ParentingAdvice #ParentingLife #ParentingSupport #TeenParenting #Teenagers #RaisingTeens #ParentingTeens #TeenBehavior #TeenCommunication #TeenMotivation #TeenDevelopment #AdolescentDevelopment #ParentTeenConnection #TeenMentalHealth #DrCam #TheTeenTranslator