Eps 558: Neuroscience of adolescent behavior with Patrick Ney

Eps 558: Neuroscience of adolescent behavior with Patrick Ney

Author: Casey O'Roarty March 24, 2025 Duration: 53:17
My guest today is Patrick Ney, here to explain the neuroscience behind some adolescent behaviors. Patrick shares about self-determination theory and our 3 universal psychological needs. We dig into the personal growth and rewriting the narratives we’ve told ourselves about the way we were parented.  Lastly, Patrick shares actionable steps & advice for helpful communication with your unregulated teen.  Takeaways from the show Wanting to parent differently than you were parented  Self-determination theory  3 psychological needs: relatedness, competence, & autonomy  People feel better & work better with others when those needs are met; we see more negative behavior when those needs are not met   Parenting is an invitation for personal growth  “There’s no getting around teen brain development”  Neuroscience of the teen brain The more you understand the connection between teen behavior, their needs, and brain development, the easier it becomes to stay grounded & helpful - most parents don’t know a lot of neuroscience, but it helps!   Teens are hypersensitive to the opinions of other teens You are the world’s best expert on your child  Getting curious instead of cutting off behavior immediately  Having a narrative understanding of who you are and where you came from can help you know where you’re going as a caregiver  Reflecting on your own behavior & actions as a teenager  “A teenage brain has higher highs and lower lows “ Steps for staying helpful & communicative with unregulated adolescents  For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Parenting adolescents often feels like navigating a landscape without a reliable map, where the old rules no longer apply and connection can feel just out of reach. Joyful Courage for Parenting Teens, hosted by Casey O'Roarty, meets you right in that uncertainty. This podcast operates from a simple, powerful belief: the challenges of raising tweens and teens, while deeply personal, are also a shared human experience. Instead of offering quick fixes, conversations here focus on the foundational work of building and repairing relationships, fostering essential life skills in our kids, and perhaps most importantly, doing the internal work required of us as parents. You’ll hear honest discussions that blend practical strategies with compassionate insight, all aimed at transforming this demanding season from a battle of wills into an opportunity for mutual growth. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining a thoughtful, experienced friend who reminds you that courage isn't about being fearless, but about finding joy and resilience within the beautiful mess of family life. It’s a resource for anyone who wants to move beyond reaction and toward a more intentional, connected approach with the young adults in their home.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Joyful Courage for Parenting Teens
Podcast Episodes
Eps 591: Dismantle Walls and Deepen Your Bond with your Teen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:39
In this episode of the Joyful Courage Podcast, I dive deep into how parents of teens can let go of control, validate their kids’ experiences, and rebuild trust—even when walls have gone up. You’ll hear tools and mindset…
Eps 590: Breath as a superpower with Kurtis Lee Thomas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:00
In this episode, I chat with breathwork expert Kurtis Lee Thomas about how simple breathing techniques can help parents of teens manage stress, frustration, and overwhelm. Breathwork isn’t just for crisis moments—it’s a…
589: Revisiting thoughts on motivating teens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:10
In this episode of the Joyful Courage Podcast, I revisit a timeless challenge: how to motivate teens to help out at home and follow through on commitments — without constant nagging or power struggles. I share mindset sh…
Eps 588: Revisiting how we raise allies with Dr. Tracy Baxley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:26
In this powerful conversation with Dr. Traci Baxley, author of Social Justice Parenting, we explore how to raise children who embrace equity, compassion, and activism. We unpack hard topics like the N-word, critical race…
Eps 587: Parenting Teens Without Losing Yourself [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:17
If you're parenting a tween or teen and feeling like you’re constantly walking on eggshells—this episode is for you. I talk about parenting teens without losing yourself in the process. I share why your peace of mind doe…
Eps 586: Revisiting college financial planning with Ann Garcia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:30
My guest today is Ann Garcia, and this episode is full of resources & advice you can use right now. Ann is an expert on paying for college and has two kids in college right now, so she really gets it. Ann starts with an…
Eps 585: Revisiting the power of perception [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:12
In this solo episode of the Joyful Courage Podcast, I am revisiting the wisdom of episode 428, where I unpack the power of perception in parenting teens—taking a look at how our kids interpret our actions, form beliefs,…
Eps 584: Post Traumatic Parenting with Dr. Robyn Koslowitz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:55
In this powerful episode of the Joyful Courage Podcast, I talk with Dr. Robyn Koslowitz about post-traumatic parenting, emotional reactivity, entitlement, and how to raise resilient teens with compassion. We unpack how u…
Eps 582: Parenting highly dependent adult children with Natalia Aiza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:46
In this episode of the Joyful Courage Podcast, I talk with psychologist and author Natalia Aiza about the emotional and practical challenges of parenting highly dependent young adults. We dive into the ways our own anxie…