Your Zen Friend
Ever wish you had a zen friend? Someone who could help you ease your tween or tween’s anxiety, while also supporting you, so parenting was more peaceful? Well good news, host Lauren Wolfe, a therapist and mom who’s made it through those anxious teen years is here to offer parents some zen! A full-length episode comes out every Tuesday. And "A Drop of Zen," a short guided meditation or a "Zen Bonus Boost," a mini episode, come out every Friday.
Episodes
Does it feel like your teen is more afraid of being "awkward," than you ever were at their age? As a therapist working with kids and teens, I've noticed today's generation seems particularly afraid of social missteps. What we used to call being "embarrassed" has evolved into something they call "awkward". In this episode, I'll explore why kids are so afraid of awkward...
Is this time of year feeling absolutely insane for you as a parent? Between field trips, graduations, concerts, and athletic awards, these final weeks of school can push even the most organized families to their breaking point. In this episode, I'll share three essential tips to help you navigate this hectic time with more peace, joy, and calm—while supporting your anxious tween or teen.
📻 Key Episode Highl...
Are you and your tween or teen struggling with anxiety treatment and wondering why it doesn't seem to be "working" right away? In this episode, I'll share the #1 misconception about anxiety recovery and help you understand what real healing actually looks like.
✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen
- Tune in till the end of the episode when I share how I incorporate Harry Potter themes into coun...
Are you starting to notice signs of anxiety in your tween or teen and wondering if it might be time to get seek support? In this episode, I’ll share how to know when your child could benefit from working with a qualified therapist and help you feel more confident about what to do next.
✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen
- Tune in till the end of the episode when I share how an old TV show that's now streami...
Parenting a tween or teen with anxiety is challenging! This Drop of Zen, a short guided mediation, is designed to offer you support and self care.
This mediation is perfect to do anytime you would like to connect with joy. Perfect for a mid day break or a morning exercise to help you feel positive and more joyful.
Enjoy! 😌
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a r...
In this episode, I focus on how parents can find qualified therapists who treat OCD in children and teens, understand ERP therapy (the gold standard in OCD treatment) and support their child's recovery journey.
✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen
- Tune in till the end of the episode to discover my new favorite protein-packed snack that helps me through mid-day energy slumps!
- Click here to see where you can ...
In this episode, I explore the key differences between OCD and anxiety in tweens and teens. Learn how to recognize the signs and identify when your child might need specialized support.
✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen
- Tune in till the end of the episode to discover my favorite free meditation app! I'll tell you how it's been keeping me accountable to meditate on a daily basis. And how I'm no...
In this episode, I explore the link between smartphone use and anxiety in tweens and teens. I'll introduce the term "problematic smartphone use," explain what it looks like, how to recognize if your child is struggling with it, and share practical (as well as creative) strategies to help them set healthier boundaries with their phone.
✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen
- Tune in after the break to...
In this episode, I tackle a common dilemma parents face: should you reassure your anxious tween or teen when they're worried, or could that actually make their anxiety worse? I'll share practical strategies to help you know when it's ok to offer a little reassurance. And I'll let you know when it's better to not reassure and what you can do instead.
📢 Important Scheduling Upda...
In this episode, I'm taking off my therapist hat and getting real about the challenges of parenting - especially when it comes to raising tweens and teens. Join me for some honest conversation about the ups and downs of this parenting journey! 👨👩👧👦
✨ I'll share with you:
- Why parenting is ridiculously challenging (and keeps changing just when you think you've figured it out!)
- The special ch...
In this episode, I'm tackling the Sunday Scaries - those end-of-weekend worries that so many tweens and teens experience. If your child's weekend joy turns to anxiety as Monday approaches, this episode is for you! 😰
✨ I'll share with you:
- How to recognize Sunday Scaries in your tween or teen (including some surprising signs you might not expect!)
- Why anxiety tends to peak right before anticipat...
In this episode, I'm diving into something SO many parents tell me about - that feeling of walking on eggshells around their anxious tween or teen. That sense that you're literally tiptoeing through your own house, scared that saying or doing the wrong thing might trigger a reaction that sends your whole family's day into a spiral. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone! 😰
✨ Breaking Free ...
In this episode, I’m talking about a struggle that’s super common for tweens and teens: social anxiety. I’ll cover what it is, how to spot it, and, most importantly, how you can help your child to take healthy risks in social situations.
Social anxiety can show up in many ways, such as avoiding social situations, fearing judgment, or overthinking conversations. These feelings can make it difficult for t...
In today’s episode, I’m answering our first listener question from Anna, a fellow Zen Friend, who’s struggling with her own anxiety triggered by her daughter’s anxiety.
✨ Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:
Why your anxiety makes sense – Understanding the emotional connection between you and your child.
The Anxiety Feedback Loop – How your child’s anxiety can trigger yours, and how to break the cycle.
Welcome to your Zen Bonus Boost! This is a short (and hopefully sweet) episode designed to offer support, strategies and tips for parents of anxious tweens and teens.
On this episode I'll tell you why it is important and helpful to validate your own feelings as well as your children's. I'll give you examples of how you can practice self compassion as well as offer your children emotional ...
In this episode, we’re diving into 3 ways to bring more balance to you and your tween/teen in 2025! 🎉
✨ Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:
1️⃣ Reducing the pressure (on yourself and your kids)
2️⃣ Tackling overscheduling to create more room for connection
3️⃣ Valuing relaxation, creativity, and movement
I’ll also share relatable stories (including some parenting wins and lessons learn...
In this episode, I’m diving into routines and predictability—how they can help (and sometimes hinder) your anxious tween or teen—and exploring the joy and connection that holiday traditions bring. I’ll also share a peek into my family’s Christmas traditions, both past and present.
Traditions are powerful—they create connection, foster joy, and give us something to look forward to ☺️
💬 Stay Connected:
- Visit you...
Feeling overwhelmed with all the holiday to do's? Guest and friend of the pod, Vicki Smith will help us to clear our schedules of the stuff that doesn't serve us so that we have more time to do the things we enjoy. Self care isn't just about lighting candles and wearing cozy socks. One terrific way to care for yourself, especially during the holidays is to set healthy boundaries. Vicki is here to ...
In this festive episode, I’m sharing how I’ve shifted my holiday traditions to create more peace and joy during this busy season. Whether you're juggling the magic-making or supporting an anxious tween or teen, it can feel like a lot (especially for us moms 🫠
🎧 Tune in for:
- The traditions I’ve let go of (goodbye, elf shenanigans and cookie parties!)
- What I’ve said YES to, like ordering Chinese food for C...
Welcome, Zen Friend! ✨ In this episode, we’re exploring why the holiday season can be particularly tricky for tweens and teens with anxiety. From high expectations to social stress and academic pressures, we’ll dive into what makes this time of year challenging and how you can help.
🎙️ In This Episode:
- The impact of high expectations and perfectionism during the holidays
- Why academic demands can feel overwhelm...
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