Joyful Courage for Parenting Teens
Casey O'Roarty
Welcome to the Joyful Courage Podcast - a place where parents of tweens and teens come to find inspiration, information and encouragement in the messy terrain of adolescenceThis season of parenting is no joke - and while the details of what we are all moving through might be slightly different, we are having a collective experience.This is a space where we center building relationship, nurturing life skills, and leaning into our own personal growth.My name is Casey O’Roarty, I am a parent coach, Positive Discipline LEad Trainer, and captain of the adolescent ship over at Sproutable. I am also a speaker and published author. I have been working with parents and families for over 20 years and continue to navigate being a mom with my own two young adult kids.I am honored that you are here… Please give back to the pod by sharing it with friends, or on social media, and rate and review on Apple or Spotify - work of mouth is how we grow!Thanks - enjoy the show!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 30, 2025 • 42min
Eps 621: Revisiting Consciously practicing connection, curiosity, and presence with ourselves and others
I'm diving deep into the messy, beautiful work of parenting teens with intention and compassion. In this episode, I explore why changing our parenting patterns feels so hard (hint: it's like forging a new path through the forest), how to practice non-attachment while staying fiercely committed, and the power of pausing to check in with ourselves throughout the day. I share real talk about trusting your gut, honoring your family's unique journey, and remembering that whatever challenge you're facing right now is just one snapshot in the bigger picture. Perfect for parents seeking connection over control.
For more show notes and info go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-466-consciously-practicing-connection-curiosity-and-presence-with-ourselves-and-others/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 27, 2025 • 52min
Eps 620: Meditation as a parenting tool with Katie Krimitsos
As a parent coach working with families for over 20 years, I've learned that raising teenagers requires us to pause before reacting. In this episode, I sit down with meditation expert Katie Krimitsos to discuss how mindfulness helps parents navigate adolescent chaos without making things worse. Katie shares practical ways to go within, manage parental anxiety, and stay grounded when your teen's choices trigger you. If you're struggling with teen defiance, school issues, or feeling overwhelmed, this conversation offers accessible tools for staying present during your teen's most challenging moments.
For show notes and more info, go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-620-meditation-as-a-parenting-tool-with-katie-krimitsos/
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Oct 23, 2025 • 37min
Eps 619: Life Skills for Launching Teens
I'm diving deep into teaching life skills to teens—from driving and money management to cooking and getting their first job. If you're stressed about whether your teen is "ready" to launch, this episode is for you. I share how I navigated the messy middle of raising two very different kids, why mistakes are actually gifts, and how to stop micromanaging and start believing in your teen's ability to figure things out. Learn when to step in, when to let go, and how shifting from "this is who my kid is" to "this is where they are" changes everything. Perfect for parents of teens aged 13-18.
For full transcript and show notes: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-619-life-skills-for-launching-teens/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 20, 2025 • 59min
Eps 618: Loving the teen you have with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart
I sat down with pediatric psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart to discuss her groundbreaking new book about transforming teen conflict into connection. We explored rejection sensitivity in teens with ADHD, perfectionism and procrastination, and why our adolescents shut down or explode over simple feedback. Dr. Lockhart shares practical strategies for parents struggling with teens who feel misunderstood, offering compassionate approaches to building bridges instead of walking on eggshells. If you're parenting a tween or teen who seems unreachable, or you're tired of everything feeling like a battle, this conversation offers hope and actionable guidance for reconnecting with your child.
Find more info about my guest and show notes at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-618-loving-the-teen-you-have-with-dr-ann-louise-lockhart
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Oct 16, 2025 • 39min
Eps 617: Revisiting Having the Courage to Let Go
In this replay episode, I'm getting real about having the courage to let go as our teens approach adulthood. I share my own journey parenting two very different kids. I talk about why our teens need space to develop crucial life skills like organization, time management, and problem-solving before they leave home. It's not just about getting them to college; it's preparing them to thrive there. I offer practical tools like family meetings, regular check-ins, and emotional honesty to help you build the connection that makes letting go possible. Let's navigate this together.
For more info and show notes, go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-339-solo-having-the-courage-to-let-go/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 13, 2025 • 54min
Eps 616: Teen Sleep Solutions with Jessica Bryant: What Parents Need to Know
In this eye-opening conversation, I speak with pediatric sleep expert Jessica Bryant about the silent epidemic affecting our teenagers: chronic sleep deprivation. We uncover how overscheduled lives, screens, and caffeine are stealing the 8-10 hours teens desperately need—and how sleep loss mimics mental health issues, tanks academic performance by 40%, and threatens their developing brains. Jessica shares actionable strategies parents can implement tonight: creating wind-down routines, modeling healthy sleep habits, and setting boundaries around devices and activities. Your teen's success, mood, and wellbeing literally depend on sleep. This conversation could change everything—don't wait until it's too late.
Find out more about the guest and complete show notes at https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-616-teen-sleep-solutions-with-jessica-bryant-what-parents-need-to-know/
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Oct 9, 2025 • 50min
Eps 615: End the Power Struggles - Boundaries vs Rules vs Agreements for Teens
Today I'm sharing powerful insights that transformed how I navigated my teens' adolescent years—and they're thriving now in college because of it. If you're caught between wanting control and knowing you need to let go, this episode is your lifeline. I break down the critical differences between boundaries, rules, and agreements, and why getting this wrong keeps you stuck in power struggles. Your teen's brain is wiring for independence RIGHT NOW, and the approach you take today determines whether they launch successfully or struggle. I'm giving you the exact framework that helps parents move from conflict to collaboration before it's too late.
For more show notes and info, go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-615-end-the-power-struggles-boundaries-rules-agreements-for-teens/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 6, 2025 • 37min
Eps 614: Revisiting what it means to pass on the energetic responsibility to our teens
Today is a replay - I'm diving into one of the biggest challenges we face as parents of teens: letting go of energetic responsibility. If you're exhausted from holding the weight of your teen's schoolwork, choices, and future while they seem to coast along, this episode is for you. I'll explain why our kids can't truly learn responsibility until we stop carrying it for them, share my own raw story about my daughter and vaping, and give you the tools to stay connected without taking over. Learn how to hand back what's theirs—their grades, their motivation, their consequences—while still showing up with love and faith. It's messy, it's hard, but it's the path to raising capable young adults.
For more info and show notes go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-372-solo-energetic-responsibility-teens/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 2, 2025 • 44min
Eps 613: How to Be the Parent Your Teen Actually Turns To
In this episode of the Joyful Courage Podcast, I'm breaking down how to build real trust with your teenager—the kind where they believe you when you say "you can tell me anything." It's not about what we say, but how we show up when mistakes happen. I share practical ways to stay calm during the hard conversations, validation techniques that work, and how our daily micro-moments cement safety. If you want your teen to come to you first (not last) when they're in trouble, this episode gives you the roadmap for becoming their soft landing during adolescence.
For more info and show notes, go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/episode-613-how-to-be-the-parent-your-teen-actually-turns-to/
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Sep 29, 2025 • 48min
Eps 612: Emily Redondo on Recovery & Family
In this episode of Joyful Courage, I sit down with Emily Redondo, a mom, author, and survivor of addiction, to talk about the messy, beautiful reality of parenting. We dive into how shame, regret, and perfectionism can hold us back—and how modeling courage and embracing mistakes are powerful models for our kids. Emily shares her experience with recovery, self-forgiveness, and building honest relationships with her children, even through discomfort. This conversation is packed with insights on autonomy, navigating teen years, and showing up authentically as a parent.
For more show notes and info go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-612-emily-redondo-on-recovery-family/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
