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 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
Sep 25, 2025 • 47min
Eps 611: Middle School Series Part Four - Connection and Courage
Part four of my Middle School Mini Series is here! In this episode, I share powerful Positive Discipline tools that build connection and courage with your tween or teen. From family meetings and special time, to curiosity, validation, encouragement, and rituals—these practices create belonging and strengthen relationships during the messy middle school years. Parenting in adolescence isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence, connection, and long-term growth. If you’ve been craving practical strategies and heartfelt encouragement, this is the episode for you. Tune in and let’s navigate middle school parenting together with courage and curiosity. Parents, you don’t want to miss this!
For more show notes, resources and info, go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-611-middle-school-series-part-four-connection-and-courage/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 22, 2025 • 52min
Eps 610: Lisa Katona Smith Talks Teen Substance Use
In this powerful episode of the Joyful Courage Podcast, I sit down with certified peer recovery specialist, family consultant, TEDx, speaker and author Lisa Katona Smith to talk about how parents can stay calm, connected, and effective when teens experiment with substances, in active addiction, recovery or face big struggles. We explore Lisa’s Parallel Recovery approach — staying regulated, setting clear limits, and leading with curiosity instead of panic. You’ll learn why “detaching with love” isn’t enough, how to avoid piling your emotional “coat” onto your kids, and practical scripts for hard conversations. If you’re parenting tweens or teens through stress, substance use, or mental health challenges, this episode is a must-listen.
For more show notes and info, go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-610-lisa-katona-smith-talks-teen-substance-use/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 18, 2025 • 32min
Eps 609: Middle School Series Part Three - Life Skills to Nurture
Middle school is the perfect training ground for life skills — and in part three of the Middle School Series on Joyful Courage, I’m sharing how we can guide our tweens and teens as they practice the tools they’ll need for independence, resilience, and healthy relationships. From self-regulation and problem solving to organization, time management, communication, and self-advocacy, I unpack why these skills are still developing, why mistakes matter, and how we can model calm, curiosity, and confidence as they learn. Tune in for encouragement and practical tips to help your kids grow through the ups and downs of adolescence.
Find more show notes and info at https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-609-middle-school-series-part-3-life-skills-to-nurture/
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Sep 16, 2025 • 55min
Eps 608: Calming teenage anxiety with Sophia Vale Galano
In this week’s Joyful Courage Podcast, I sit down with therapist and author Sophia Vale Galano to talk about helping teens manage anxiety while staying grounded as parents. We explore how to meet our kids with empathy, guide them toward support without fixing, and keep conversations about mental health open and natural. Sophia offers practical tools from her book Calming Teenage Anxiety plus fresh insight on resilience, therapy, and when to seek extra help. If you’re ready to feel steadier and more connected as you support your teen, tune in and get inspired by this compassionate, hopeful conversation.
For more info and show notes, go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-608-calming-teenage-anxiety-with-sophia-vale-galano/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 11, 2025 • 33min
Eps 607: Dr. Jean Twenge and the 10 Rules for Tech with Teens
Parenting teens in the digital age is no small task. In this episode, I talk with Jean Twenge about the realities of screen time, social media, and AI. We dive into why it’s important to own our mistakes, set clear limits, and remember that phones are a privilege—not a right. Jean shares real-life examples from her own family, and we get into the challenges of parental controls, pushback from teens, and how to encourage critical thinking around tech use. This conversation is packed with practical insight and encouragement for parents navigating today’s digital landscape.
For more show notes and info go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-607-dr-jean-twenge-and-the-10-rules-for-tech-with-teens/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 8, 2025 • 50min
Eps 606: Middle School Series Part Two - Essential Conversations
In this episode, I dive into the tough but essential conversations we need to be having with our middle schoolers — around tech, social media, consent, substances, mental health, and more. I remind parents that silence doesn’t protect our kids; it leaves them to figure things out through peers or the internet. Instead, we can lead with curiosity, plant small conversational seeds, and revisit these topics over time. Our job isn’t to have the perfect talk, it’s to show up again and again with openness, honesty, and love. Staying connected is the key to guiding them forward.
For more show notes and resources go to https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-606-middle-school-series-part-two-essential-conversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
