When Your Teen “Stops Caring”… Why That’s Actually a Win
"Send Ben a text"When your teen suddenly “stops caring” — about school, sports, church, or even family — it can feel like everything’s falling apart. Maybe they used to try hard, follow rules, and keep you happy. Now, they’re unmotivated, moody, or even defiant.Most parents panic at this point. But what if your teen’s “not caring” isn’t a breakdown… it’s actually a breakthrough?In this episode, Ben and Cortni unpack why your teen pulling back might mean they’re finally learning to think for themselves — and why that’s a good thing. You’ll hear real stories from coaching teens and parents who went through this same shift, plus practical ways to stay calm, confident, and connected while your teen figures out who they are.We’ll talk about:Why it’s healthy for your teen to stop pretending to care just to please youWhat “programming” really means — and how to update yours as a parentThe difference between control and connectionHow to give your teen autonomy without losing influenceWhat to do when your teen questions their faith, motivation, or directionAnd why your relationship will always matter more than being “right”When your teen stops caring, it’s not the end of your influence — it’s the start of theirs. Learn how to support that growth with love, confidence, and perspective.🎧 Tune in now and discover why letting go might be the best way to help your teen grow up.Are You Caught in the Parent Trap? Discover the hidden patterns that are keeping you stuck—and how to break free. Take this quick (and eye-opening) quiz to uncover which common parenting trap you’re falling into with your teen. Get a personalized roadmap to help you parent with more clarity, confidence, and connection—starting today. https://benpughcoaching.com/parenttrapquiz
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How to Help Your Teen Find Their Spark
"Send Ben a text"Every teen has a spark inside them—something that makes them come alive. But too often, they get lost trying to be who the world wants them to be.In this episode, I talk with my good friend Arthur C. Woods, author of SPARK for Emerging Leaders. He shares simple ways parents can help their teens discover who they want to be, not just what they want to do.We talk about: 👉 Why purpose matters more than perfection 👉 How to help your teen take ownership of their choices 👉 The role of mentors, coaches, and parents in lighting that spark 👉 What real leadership looks like for teens todayThis is a short, powerful conversation that will inspire you to see your teen in a new light—and remind you that your job isn’t to push them, but to help them shine.✨ Get Arthur’s book, SPARK for Emerging Leaders, on Amazon or at sparkforemergingleaders.com 💡 Learn more about coaching with Ben at benpughcoaching.comAre You Caught in the Parent Trap? Discover the hidden patterns that are keeping you stuck—and how to break free. Take this quick (and eye-opening) quiz to uncover which common parenting trap you’re falling into with your teen. Get a personalized roadmap to help you parent with more clarity, confidence, and connection—starting today. https://benpughcoaching.com/parenttrapquiz
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56:42
You’re Not in Control of Your Teen (and That’s the Best News Ever)
"Send Ben a text"You’re not in control of your teen—and that’s actually the best news ever.In this episode, Ben and Cortni dive deep into what happens when parents try to control their teens and why it almost always backfires. Drawing from the book Leadership and Self-Deception, they unpack the idea of “being in the box” and how it shows up in family life.You’ll hear real stories about morning workouts, teenage excuses, and even tacos—all tied to one powerful truth: you can’t control your teen, but you can control you.When you stop trying to manage every decision your teen makes and instead focus on your own thoughts, emotions, and actions, something amazing happens. You become a calm, confident leader. You show up as the parent you want to be. And your teen starts to respond differently—because you’re different.If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or powerless in your parenting, this episode will help you find freedom in letting go and peace in leading with love and awareness.🎧 Tune in to learn how to:Spot self-deception and get out of “the box”Lead your teen without trying to control themBuild trust and influence through your exampleBring more peace, connection, and joy into your homeIt’s time to stop trying to control your teen—and start becoming the kind of parent they actually want to follow.Are You Caught in the Parent Trap? Discover the hidden patterns that are keeping you stuck—and how to break free. Take this quick (and eye-opening) quiz to uncover which common parenting trap you’re falling into with your teen. Get a personalized roadmap to help you parent with more clarity, confidence, and connection—starting today. https://benpughcoaching.com/parenttrapquiz
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The Thing That Is Secretly Wrecking Your Relationship with Your Teen
"Send Ben a text"You love your teen. You try to help. You want things to get better. But what if you’re accidentally doing something that’s quietly sabotaging your connection?In this episode, Ben and Cortni unpack one of the most powerful ideas from Leadership and Self-Deception—the hidden mindset that keeps parents and teens stuck in conflict, frustration, and blame.You’ll learn: 👉 What “being in the box” really means (and how it shows up in your family) 👉 Why trying to “fix” your teen often makes things worse 👉 The self-deception trap every parent falls into—and how to get out of it 👉 How awareness can break the cycle and rebuild trustIf you’ve ever felt like your teen is the problem, this episode might lovingly show you otherwise.🎧 Listen now and discover the thing that’s secretly wrecking your relationship—so you can finally rebuild it stronger than ever.Are You Caught in the Parent Trap? Discover the hidden patterns that are keeping you stuck—and how to break free. Take this quick (and eye-opening) quiz to uncover which common parenting trap you’re falling into with your teen. Get a personalized roadmap to help you parent with more clarity, confidence, and connection—starting today. https://benpughcoaching.com/parenttrapquiz
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27:47
Stop Trying to Fix Your Teen — Fix This Instead
"Send Ben a text"Most parents secretly wish their teen would just change — listen more, argue less, clean up, do homework, be respectful, etc.But here’s the truth: 👉 You can’t change your teen. 👉 You can only change you.In this episode, Ben and Cortni unpack one of the most powerful parenting principles of all time — “Be the change you want to see.”You’ll learn:Why trying to “fix” your teen backfires every timeHow to stop giving away your powerThe difference between victim and hero parentingWhy awareness always comes before choiceHow real change happens from the roots up, not the fruit down 🍑If you’ve ever felt frustrated, powerless, or stuck in a cycle of conflict with your teen… this episode will help you reclaim your peace, your power, and your purpose as a parent.🎧 Listen now and start being the change you want to see.Are You Caught in the Parent Trap? Discover the hidden patterns that are keeping you stuck—and how to break free. Take this quick (and eye-opening) quiz to uncover which common parenting trap you’re falling into with your teen. Get a personalized roadmap to help you parent with more clarity, confidence, and connection—starting today. https://benpughcoaching.com/parenttrapquiz
This podcast will help parents of teens keep life's struggles as a teen, and as a parent of a teen, in perspective. Parents will learn real tools to help them help their teens. They will learn how to build a rock solid relationship with their teen so they will have a powerful impact and a positive influence on their teen's life.
Netherlands