Eps 659: Free-Range Teens with Lenore Skenazy

Eps 659: Free-Range Teens with Lenore Skenazy

Author: Casey O'Roarty June 16, 2026 Duration: 44:40
What if our teens are far more capable than our anxious culture lets us believe? (spoiler: they are) In this episode, I sit down with Lenore Skenazy to talk about raising independent, resilient teenagers in a world built on fear. We dig into why kids crave independence, how "worst-first thinking" keeps us stuck, and practical tools to help your teen practice real-world skills before they launch. If you're ready to trade control for trust, this conversation is for you. Guest Bio: Lenore Skenazy is a cultural critic, longtime New York–based journalist, and TED mainstage speaker who sparked a global conversation when she wrote about letting her nine-year-old ride the subway alone. She founded the Free-Range Kids movement and co-founded Let Grow, a nonprofit helping kids build confidence, resilience, and real-world skills through greater independence. Her work has been featured on CNN, the Today Show, and in The Atlantic. Find more info and show notes as: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-659-free-range-teens-with-lenore-skenazy/ 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: 50

Joyful Courage for Parenting Teens
Podcast Episodes
Eps 630: Help for the self destructive teen with Katie May [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:14
In this week's interview episode, I sit down with licensed therapist Katie May to discuss one of parenthood's hardest challenges: supporting teens through self-destructive behaviors and overwhelming emotions. Katie, foun…
Eps 629: Revisiting gratitude and finding acceptance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:14
In this Thanksgiving replay episode, I'm reflecting on gratitude during challenging times—and trust me, 2020 tested us all. I share how we can be grateful not for our struggles, but for who we become when we choose to gr…
Eps 628: Interrupting parenting patterns with Marielle Melling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In this episode, I sit down with Marielle Melling to explore the invisible forces driving our least favorite parenting moments and how to interrupt them. We dive deep into the gap between knowing better and actually doin…
Eps 627: The Inner Work of Intentional Parenting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:21
I'm sharing some things that are deeply personal today about navigating life's hardest moments—from my daughter's mental health struggles to my husband's cancer diagnosis. This episode isn't about parenting strategies; i…
Eps 626: Functional Mushrooms Demystified with Nicole Erdrich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:27
In this eye-opening episode, I explore functional mushrooms and adaptogens with my friend Nicole Erdrich from Four Peaks Medicinals. We demystify how these powerful organisms support parents through stress, brain fog, an…
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Duration: 49:23
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Eps 623: Saying "No" to our teens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:15
I'm sharing something crucial about setting boundaries with teens that most parents miss. When our teenagers push back against our "no," our nervous systems can get completely hijacked by their anger and disappointment.…
Eps 622: College Reality Check From My Son [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:18
In this episode, I sit down with my son Ian, a college sophomore, for an honest conversation about navigating college life in 2025. We discuss communication strategies between parents and college students, balancing acad…