Hope For Parents With Struggling Teens
You’ve read the books, followed the advice, and poured your heart into parenting, but your teen still struggles. Whether you're facing defiance, emotional shutdowns, anxiety, depression, or just feeling completely out of answers, you are not alone — and you are not failing. This podcast is your lifeline: real talk, expert insights, and practical tools that actually work. Join us each week for hope, direction, and a reminder that you can rebuild connection, influence, and peace in your home — one step at a time.
Episodes
In this podcast episode, Brandon Joffe, LCSW, discusses the delicate balance between enabling and teaching children. He emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries without over-explaining, which can lead to enabling behaviors. Joffe shares insights from his practice, illustrating how constant nagging and explaining can create unhealthy dynamics and codependency. He advises parents to provide clear, concise explana...
In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the nuanced world of trauma and the consequences of mislabeling everyday experiences as traumatic. Join us as we explore how this mischaracterization can affect mental health, relationships, and personal growth. Our expert guests share insights on distinguishing genuine trauma from challenging experiences, offering listeners a clearer understanding of their emotional la...
In this insightful episode of "Hope for Parents," host Brandon Joffe delves into the profound impact parents have on their children's social development. Through engaging narratives and expert insights, Brandon discusses how parents' social behaviors—whether confident or awkward—serve as powerful models for their kids. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, vulnerability, and honest commun...
Summary
In this conversation, Brandon discusses the complexities of parenting in a world where children often have too much say. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining authority without resorting to control, the dangers of empowering children in conflictual situations, and the necessity of consistent parenting to foster emotional safety. Brandon advocates for a balanced approach that prioritizes connecti...
Brandon walks us through what a parent can do when they’ve seemingly tried everything: reasoning, reward systems, punishments, calm talks, and “I” statements. None of it worked because the child doesn’t believe there is a problem. Brandon explores what happens when a parent runs out of strategies, begins eliminating what isn’t working, and is left with a parenting void. But this isn’t about giving up. It’s about letti...
Brandon opens up about the connection between mental health and living in alignment with our morals and values. He explores how our internal compass, shaped by upbringing, experience, and personal beliefs, can either ground us or leave us feeling lost when ignored. Brandon breaks down the difference between morals and values, explains how misalignment can lead to emotional distress, and challenges listeners to reflect...
Brandon reflects on what it means to lead as a dad in today’s world, especially in the chaos of co-parenting, fractured relationships, or the quiet ache of feeling disconnected. While fatherhood is often defined by the roles of provider and protector, Brandon offers a deeper and more honest perspective: presence over perfection, influence over control. A father’s choices carry a lasting impact, and even when relations...
Brandon returns to share powerful insights into what’s really happening when your child’s storm of emotions hits the moment they walk through the door. He explains why children often save their biggest emotions for home, the one place they feel safe enough to let go. Brandon breaks down the emotional shift that happens after a long day of holding it together and why attempts to “teach in the moment” so often backfire....
Brandon unpacks the emotional and relational toll of constantly managing a child’s academic responsibilities. He explains why nagging may lead to short-term compliance, but rarely builds long-term accountability or a strong parent-child connection. Instead, it often results in resentment, codependency, and burnout on both sides. Brandon challenges the belief that parents are responsible for their child’s school perfor...
Brandon opens up about the deep complexity of motherhood on Mother’s Day. He honors both the visible strength of nurturing mothers and the unseen weight many carry in silence. Drawing from his own experience with a grounded partner and an intuitive mother, Brandon reflects on how their examples shaped not only his personal values but also the foundation of what he teaches at Inspired Resolutions. He speaks to the invi...
Brandon takes a closer look at the booming fidget toy industry and asks a tough question: Are they helping or hurting? Often recommended for managing ADHD, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation, fidget toys seem like an easy solution. But Brandon challenges that idea. He shares research and real-world stories suggesting these tools may do more harm than good. They can reinforce unhealthy patterns of instant gratificati...
Brandon dives into the complex and controversial world of EMDR—Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing—a therapy originally developed for PTSD that has surged in popularity in recent years. He unpacks the origins of EMDR, its early focus on war veterans and trauma survivors, and the gap between what the science supports and how the therapy is currently being taught and practiced. From inconsistent protocols to c...
Brandon explores one of the most common traps in therapy and personal growth—the seduction of "why." It feels cathartic to connect the dots between past experiences and present struggles, but he challenges the idea that understanding alone leads to healing. Drawing from clinical insights and real client experiences, Brandon explains how getting stuck in a rediscovery loop can stall true progress. Insight can...
Brandon assesses what it means to lead your family without losing yourself in the process. He challenges the traditional view of parental leadership as control, offering instead a grounded, emotionally intelligent approach rooted in humility and discernment. Brandon explores the difference between emotional leadership and emotional control, emphasizing that leadership isn't about reacting from fear or ego but abo...
Brandon sheds light on the power of personal responsibility in healing from trauma, adversity, and mental health struggles. He introduces the idea that just because these challenges aren’t our fault, they are still ours to manage. Through real-life examples, he examines how unprocessed pain can impact parenting, relationships, and self-worth, often leading to cycles of codependency, entitlement, and resentment. He emp...
Brandon uncovers the complexities of parenting when styles clash, exploring the tension between nurturing and structured approaches and how these differences create friction between parents and impact their children’s development. Through real-life examples, he highlights the importance of consistency, communication, and emotional regulation—both in how parents engage with their kids and navigate conflict with each ot...
Brandon discusses the power of detaching emotionally from the chaos and compartmentalizing stress. He explores how parenting a strong-willed child can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. Brandon explains why some kids push emotional buttons to gain control and how parents unknowingly reinforce these behaviors by engaging in arguments. He offers strategies for reclaiming peace at home by setting consistent boundaries...
Brandon explores how parents can foster personal agency in their children. He explains how parents often unintentionally enable their children by providing endless resources without clear boundaries, which leads to resentment on both sides. Parents feel frustrated by their child's lack of responsibility, while children become dependent and resistant to change. He emphasizes that boundaries protect emotional healt...
Brandon analyzes the real meaning of self-love, challenging the surface-level messages that dominate social media. He breaks down why true self-love requires honesty, self-discipline, and the courage to confront uncomfortable truths. Through personal insights and real-life examples, he explores how embracing both our strengths and limitations leads to lasting transformation. True self-love isn’t just about feel-good a...
Brandon takes a deep dive into the complexities of bullying, challenging the traditional narratives that paint a clear-cut picture of victims and aggressors. He explores how bullying is often a layered issue, influenced by personality dynamics, social skills, and even family patterns. Rather than focusing solely on the damage, Brandon emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, personal growth, and recognizing what’s...
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