Eps 605: Middle School Series Part One - Growth, Change and Belonging

Eps 605: Middle School Series Part One - Growth, Change and Belonging

Author: Casey O'Roarty September 4, 2025 Duration: 29:29
Middle school is a wild ride — bodies changing, moods shifting, friendships evolving, and parents wondering how to keep up. In this first episode of my four-part middle school series, I unpack the developmental landscape of early adolescence and share how we can shift from managing to mentoring our kids. Listen in for insight on belonging, peer influence, critical thinking, and why curiosity is your greatest parenting tool during these years. You’ll also get practical conversation starters for tough topics like tech, sex, and mental health. Middle school can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Let’s navigate it together. 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 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…
Eps 581: MAP - a tool  to transform your parenting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:00
In this episode of the Joyful Courage Podcast, I break down the MAP process—Mirror, Align, Practice—a powerful tool for creating lasting transformation in your parenting. I share real-life stories (including a messy fami…