#149-How a Dog’s “Hackles” Can Help You To Manage Anger with Compassion: (Moms, Teens, Communication)

#149-How a Dog’s “Hackles” Can Help You To Manage Anger with Compassion: (Moms, Teens, Communication)

Author: Jessica Stewart October 31, 2025 Duration: 6:53

Ever wonder why you snap before you even realize you’re angry? What if your body was just trying to protect you, not betray you?

In this episode, Jessica breaks down what’s really happening inside your body when your “hackles rise.” Using the simple example of how a dog’s fur stands up when alarmed, she explains how our nervous system triggers anger—and why it’s not your fault. If you’ve ever felt trapped in guilt or frustration after yelling at your teen, this conversation will change the way you view those moments forever.

You’ll discover

  • How to recognize when your body—not your mind—is driving your reactions
  • The quick reset technique that helps you calm your nervous system in seconds

  • Why true calm starts in the body and how to “shake it off” like your dog does


Listen now to learn the simple nervous system reset that helps you move from anger to calm—so you can respond to your teen with clarity and compassion instead of regret.

Want to learn what your communication style under stress is? Take the quiz below.

Take the quiz now—it only takes a minute!

Not sure where to start with having conversations with your teens about sex, drugs, alcohol or vaping? That's why I created this cheat sheet for How to talk about the BIG stuff with your teen. Grab it below

How to Talk About the BIG Stuff With Your Teen

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:00 AM EST

Book a free 1:1 coaching consult here

Connect with me at jessicastewartcoach@gmail.com

Learn more about me at www.coachwithjessica.ca

This powerful podcast explores how  moms  and  parents  can navigate  anxiety,  overwhelm, and grief  while building resilience,  confidence, and emotional intelligence, offering tools for better communication, active listening, and setting healthy boundaries to foster trust, reduce yelling and punishment, de-escalate conflict and escalation, and strengthen relationships with teens  through empathy, calm, and lasting harmony.


Navigating the teenage years can feel like you're learning a new language overnight, leaving many mothers feeling isolated in a storm of slammed doors and silent treatments. The Teen Years Toolkit For Moms: Parenting Communication Skills to Calm the Chaos is a space where that isolation ends. Host Jessica Stewart speaks directly from her own lived experience, having moved from a place of being constantly triggered by her sons to cultivating her own resilience and emotional intelligence. This podcast digs into the real, messy work of shifting family dynamics without resorting to simplistic advice. You'll hear honest conversations about moving beyond power struggles, managing the grief that can accompany your child's growing independence, and finding practical ways to rebuild connection. Jessica focuses on the core communication skills that actually work with adolescent brains, offering actionable strategies designed to reduce household anxiety and overwhelm. Each episode serves as a step toward replacing chaos with understanding, helping you foster a home environment where both you and your teen can thrive. It’s more than just a parenting podcast; it’s a resource for personal growth that directly benefits your family’s emotional health and your own mental well-being. Tune in for grounded guidance that acknowledges the complexity of these years while providing a clear path forward.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Teen Years Toolkit For Moms: Parenting Communication Skills to Calm the Chaos
Podcast Episodes