Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens Into Adulthood

This week’s episode was important enough to re-record: when (and if) you should push your teen to go to therapy. Cynthia and Dr. Ken unpack what therapy actually is, why forcing a resistant teen rarely works, and the surprising ways counseling can sometimes do more harm than good.
Dr. Ken explains how to recognize when therapy becomes necessary, why parent coaching often helps more than sending a reluctant teenager, and what to consider when choosing a counselor—including privacy boundaries, insurance realities, and whether your teen truly needs a Christian therapist.
They also address one of parents’ biggest fears: what to do when you’re worried about your child’s safety. With a practical, steady framework, Dr. Ken walks through how to assess real risk versus normal emotional overwhelm and how to respond without panic.
Today’s show is for anyone wondering whether counseling is the right next step. 

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 
You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here
You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here
You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here
 
Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 
Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

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This week, Cynthia and Dr. Ken talk about the flood of parenting advice online—reels, headlines, podcasts, and posts that claim to have “the secret” to raising great kids. Cynthia admits she often hears something, remembers it later, and never actually checks where it came from. Dr. Ken steps in to help parents think wisely about sources, research, and trends—especially when videos or articles lean heavily on “brain science” that doesn’t actually match the data.

Together, they look at a recent viral headline about teens’ brains “no longer listening” to parents and use it as a reminder that not everything labeled as research is solid or helpful. They also discuss why over-medicalizing normal behavior can accidentally excuse responsibility instead of building it. Tune in for a good reminder that being picky about the source of our parenting information is important.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 
You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here
You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here
You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here
 

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 
Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026! Cynthia and Dr. Ken kick off the year by ditching the pressure of New Year’s resolutions and instead encouraging parents to look at their parenting trajectory—if nothing changes, is that a good thing or not so much? 

Dr. Ken shares three foundational areas parents should revisit as the year begins—places that often create the most tension at home and the most confusion for parents trying to do the right thing. Along the way, they address control, conflict, and the emotional weight parents carry when things aren’t going smoothly with their teens.

Today’s show ends with an important reminder: your child’s choices are not a report card on your worth as a parent. Tune in today for a few thoughts on where to focus as we parent teens in the New Year.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 
You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here
You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here
You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here
 
 
Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 
Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on the show, Cynthia and Dr. Ken dig into the age-old issue of entitlement—how it shows up in American culture and how it shapes our teens. They talk about the everyday behaviors that reveal deeper beliefs about self-respect, responsibility, and personal standards.
Dr. Ken explains why raising kids who expect rewards without effort creates long-term problems, especially when it comes to character, resilience, and financial responsibility. Together, he and Cynthia unpack how well-intentioned parents can unintentionally undermine gratitude by giving too much without teaching kids how to earn, wait, or steward what they’ve been given.
They also explore the power of perspective—how serving others, seeing real-world needs, and broadening kids’ experiences can dramatically reduce entitlement and build empathy. The episode wraps with a practical reminder: gratitude and responsibility don’t happen by accident—they’re taught, and they stick best when kids see their parents modeling them first.
 
If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 
You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here
You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here
You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here
 
 
Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 
Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on the show, Cynthia and Dr. Ken dive into the often-overlooked world of adult friendship—why it matters for your emotional health and your parenting. They unpack new research on the “friendship recession,” why adults have fewer close friends than ever, and how that loneliness also impacts our parenting. 
Dr. Ken explains why parents need real community as their teens grow up and leave home, why your marriage can’t be your only source of companionship, and why having your teen as your “best friend” can be a warning sign—not a win. They also tackle what healthy friendships look like while raising teens, why reconciling well matters, and how to model connection in a screen-obsessed culture.
Cynthia shares practical encouragement for making and keeping friendships—prioritizing connection, filling the gaps with positive assumptions, and not letting insecurity sabotage community. They wrap up with a conversation on introverts vs. extroverts and why neither gets a pass on building real relationships.
It’s honest, insightful, and a much-needed reminder that friendships aren’t optional—they’re foundational.
 
If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 
You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here
You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here
You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here
 
 
Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 
Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy