Your Parent Coach by Mel White

TRIGGER WARNING: Discussion around suicide, mental illness and self-harm.

Despite more counsellors, resources, and “expert” advice than ever before, rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide in teens keep climbing. So… what’s going wrong? And what actually helps?

In this episode, I’m joined by Will Dobud — therapist, researcher, parent, and co-author of the upcoming book Kids These Days: Un...

Do you ever feel like you’re failing - not just yourself, but your teenager too? You’re not alone. In this heartfelt episode of Your Parent Coach, I’m unpacking the real reasons parents feel this way, why comparison is the thief of joy, and how to challenge the negative thoughts that creep in.

You’ll learn:

• Where these feelings of failure often come from (and why they’re so common)
• How to validate your emotions without getting...

In this solo episode of Your Parent Coach, Mel dives into the often-misunderstood world of teen study stress — and how understanding your teen’s learning style can unlock better support, communication, and calm at home.

I introduce my brand new Study Creature Quiz — a playful yet powerful tool designed to help parents (and teens) uncover their unique study styles. From the high-speed “Zippy” to the perfectionist “Blip,” each cre...

In this value-packed episode, I'm joined by financial coach and author Scott Yamamura, who’s on a mission to make money talk feel less like “talking about your underwear” (his words!) and more like an everyday skill we all need to pass down. We explore why financial literacy starts at home—and how to talk about money with your kids, even if you never learned it yourself.

From simple investment principles to building a custodial ...

In this timely episode, I sit down with Shellee Howard, founder of College Ready, to dive deep into how parents can truly support their teens through the college preparation and application journey, without burning them out or blowing the relationship.

We chat about:

• The biggest mistakes parents make at this time (and how to avoid them)
• Emotional support during application season
• Why less involvement can sometimes be more
• How to...

In this week's episode of Your Parent Coach, I’m joined by Monica Browning — internationally respected parenting coach, author, and single mom of two teenagers. Often called the “child whisperer” Monica brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the complex, courageous journey of parenting teens solo.

We explore what it really means to raise teens as a single parent — the strength it takes, the myths we need to bust,...

In this powerful episode of Your Parent Coach, I sit down with Justin Kelly — youth mentor, martial arts coach, and co-founder of the Bully-Proof movement — to explore what it really takes to raise confident, resilient teens in today’s world.

What began as a father-son project quickly grew into a shared mission to help other kids build the confidence to face life head-on. He credits everything to his son, and their partnership h...

In this inspiring and down-to-earth episode, I get on the Mic with Brian Parana – dad of four, husband, health coach, living a life filled with travel, connection, modern parenting.

Brian shares how he and his wife are raising four unique kids – with an intentional mix of structure and adaptability. With a combined 50-state family travel adventure under their belt (and now aiming for all 7 continents!), Brian brings a joyful and...

Is your teen pulling away—or are you holding on too tight? In this episode, we dive deep into the urge to micromanage our teens: where it comes from, how it impacts their confidence, and what you can do to shift into a more trusting, connected parenting space.

You’ll learn:

• The sneaky ways micromanagement shows up (even when you think you’re being “helpful”)
• When to loosen your grip—and why it matters
• A practical step-by-step p...

In this episode I explore the common parenting struggle of falling into “good cop” and “bad cop” roles—and how this dynamic can quietly shape your teen’s behaviour and emotional safety.

Whether you're always the one saying "no," or you're keeping the peace at all costs, this episode unpacks:

• Why the good/bad cop divide naturally happens (often without you realising)
• The unintended emotional consequences for your teen
• Practical ways...

Apologises for the intro! We are trialling a new software.

Are sleepovers still a rite of passage or a relic of the past? In this episode, we explore why many parents are saying "hard no" to sleepovers — and how you can shift that stance without compromising your values or your teen’s safety. If your teen has just started asking, this one's for you.

As always, let's connect - www.melwhiteparentcoach.com

@melwhite...

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Amy, a branding expert and mum of two boys—one in high school and one still in primary school—to talk about one of the realest parenting struggles: how your own teenage experiences can unintentionally shape (and sometimes limit) how you raise your kids.

We dive into:

• The challenge of setting tech boundaries in a world saturated with social media
• Why “everyone has one” isn’t always tru...

In this episode of Your Youth Mentor, I’m joined by Dr. Cam Caswell, renowned adolescent psychologist and parenting coach, to talk about one of the most talked-about topics in modern parenting: tracking your teen.

We explore the rise of tracking apps—and how they’re often used from a place of fear rather than connection. Dr. Cam shares her expert insights on how these tools can unintentionally erode trust, and how to flip the script...

Welcome to Season 3 - over the coming months you will see some really exciting shifts in the podcast - maybe even a new name on the horizon...

Today's episode has just one of many amazing guest speakers I have in the pipeline - Sarah from Bigger Things Project, bringing her background in teaching, teen coaching and breathwork facilitating to the podcast. In this heart-opening episode, Sarah shares her journey into this work, exp...

Our final episode of Season 2 couldn't be more perfect!

Discover what its really like to be a teenager in 2025. In this inspiring episode, I sit down with 16-year-old Hannah, the co-founder of Smart Girl Stories—a platform she runs with her dad to amplify the voices of women and girls around the world.

Hannah brings a fresh perspective, wisdom beyond her years, and an honest look at what teens actually need from the adults in the...

How do we truly connect with our teens beyond the eye-rolls, slammed doors, and one-word answers? In this episode of Your Youth Mentor Podcast, I dive deep into what lies beneath the surface of teen behaviour — and why understanding this is the key to better communication, stronger relationships, and more peaceful homes.

You’ll hear:

• Why focusing only on behaviour misses the bigger picture
• What your teen’s “difficult” moments are ...

Is your teen's social media hiding more than you think?

In today’s episode of Your Youth Mentor, I break down the hidden red flags parents need to watch for — from fake accounts to secret emoji codes, trending songs, risky apps, and slang words that say a lot more than you realise.

You’ll learn practical, non-judgmental ways to stay involved, build trust, and tackle any online issues head-on — without losing your connection with your...

WARNING: In this episode we talk about p-o-r-n.

In this episode of Your Youth Mentor, I’m joined by Kirsty Foster, the incredible mind behind Social Mums Club. We dive deep into the importance of creating your own village as a parent of a teen, and how it plays a crucial role in your support system. Kirsty shares her personal experiences and insights into parenting teen boys and why it’s a whole different ball game compared to r...