Parenting Teenagers Untangled: The award-winning podcast for parents of tweens and teens, offering realistic, science-backed advice for calmer, more connected family life. cover art

Parenting Teenagers Untangled: The award-winning podcast for parents of tweens and teens, offering realistic, science-backed advice for calmer, more connected family life.

Parenting Teenagers Untangled: The award-winning podcast for parents of tweens and teens, offering realistic, science-backed advice for calmer, more connected family life.

By: Rachel Richards
Listen for free

I'm Rachel Richards, Teen Parenting Specialist, former BBC Correspondent, CNBC Europe World News Anchor and mum, on a mission to make parenting teens much less stressful, and even enjoyable.


Do you ever feel like you don’t know what you’re doing? I've experienced that too, so have a big hug from me.


Here's the truth. You’re doing better than you think you are. No, really, you are. There’s too much talk about what a parent should be, and how we can optimise and perfect ourselves, and not enough about how well you’re coping in this complicated world as you hold your shizzle together.


I mean it, the most important message is that you CANNOT be perfect. You’re going to lose your rag, you’re going to get upset and say stupid things and make mistakes and hate your kids and your partner and your life from time to time.


Take it from me, if you’re going to worry about anything make it: ‘Am I being curious enough?’

Asking questions will get you everywhere as a parent of teenagers, and the place to do most of your practice is… yourself and your own thoughts and beliefs.

So, welcome, pull up a chair, drop your baggage, and make yourself comfortable. Let’s learn together.


The Podcast:

A fellow mum begged me to start my podcast because she wanted someone she trusted to help her through the teen years, and I’ll be forever grateful to her because the journey has transformed my own parenting and benefited my family beyond imagination.


Here’s the good news, this podcast is free and you can learn everything I learned just by starting at the beginning and going through every episode.


If you want to go a bit faster then scroll through and pick subjects that cover what you need right now. If you can’t find what you want then message me and I’ll tell you which one will help you most. If it’s not something I’ve covered then I’m like a dog chasing a stick, so you’ll soon get your answers.


My main aim is to help you stop trying to be perfect, or comparing yourself and your kids with others. Your only real job is to focus on getting to know the amazing people you have in your life, loving them unconditionally, and showing them you believe they can do hard things.


JOIN ME ON SUBSTACK:
For those of you who want more, or who just want to help me feel like the pebbles I have dropped in the ocean of life are making a difference, why not join my paid community? You’ll get one-to-one support and printable PDF’s that give you the top tips from each podcast episode so you have your own little, bespoke manual.


ASK ME ANYTHING: I’m very busy behind the scenes reading everything so you don’t have to, and when you subscribe you have the chance to ask me anything. If I don’t know the answer I’ll head out like an eager truffle pig, ready to snuffle out the best for you.


COMMUNITY: I’ll be offering regular extras, including tips and thoughts, that help you tune into what matters.

All of the community notes, and tips, will remain available to paid subscribers. I want to make this more about fun and less about fear.


PDF NOTES: So many listeners say they have rewound the episodes to write down notes, well now there’s no need. Paid subscribers will have a weekly, downloadable, summary of the top tips from each episode, so you don’t have to take notes.

Please let me know if there are any old episodes for which you’d like the notes. I’m very happy to supply them.


POINTERS: Ask me if there’s something you’re struggling with, I can tell you which episode is most suitable for you, because there are a lot to trawl through.

© 2026 Parenting Teenagers Untangled: The award-winning podcast for parents of tweens and teens, offering realistic, science-backed advice for calmer, more connected family life. Parenting & Families Personal Development Personal Success Relationships
Episodes
  • School Stress and Exams: The Secret to Parents Helping Teens and Tweens Thrive

    School Stress and Exams: The Secret to Parents Helping Teens and Tweens Thrive
    Jun 17 2026

    Ask Rachel anything

    Exam stress — are your teen’s exams quietly overwhelming them (and you)?

    In this episode of Teenagers Untangled I spoke with Katherine Radice, author of The Parent’s Guide to Exam Stress, to explore:

    * Why teens withdraw and how parental questions can shut down conversations about school

    * What makes exams uniquely stressful (risk, public outcomes, long timelines)

    * How parents can build calm, constructive conversations and listen so teens feel safe to share

    * Practical strategies: establishing effective work habits, rewarding effort vs. outcomes, scaffolding responsibility, and iterative trial-and-review methods for study

    * Handling struggles: when to improve school support vs. when to build strengths outside school (hobbies, status, resilience)

    * The “burden of praise” and how to praise in ways that empower rather than create anxiety

    * Managing parental anxiety: how to consult teens, stay reflective, and help them learn to cope with uncertainty and setbacks

    Why it’s vital to listen:

    Exams affect more than grades — they shape teens’ confidence, relationships, and long-term coping skills.

    This episode gives us evidence-based, compassionate tools to support teens without becoming the “revision police,” reduce household stress, and help young people develop resilience that lasts beyond exam results.

    Contact Katharine:

    https://katharineradice.co.uk/


    Support the show

    Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit.

    You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message.

    Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits.

    My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com
    My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:
    www.teenagersuntangled.com

    Find me on Substack: https://teenagersuntangled.substack.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/
    Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/

    You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • The Life Skill Parents Forget to Teach: Engaging in Society

    The Life Skill Parents Forget to Teach: Engaging in Society
    Jun 10 2026

    Ask Rachel anything

    Who's teaching our teens how to be good citizens; someone who feels a part of society and enagages meaningfully in creating a world we all want to live in rather than someone who just buys stuff?

    In this episode I talked with Lindsey Cormick, political scientist and author of How to Raise a Citizen, about why we parents must see it as our job to raise capable, engaged citizens.

    With civics instruction waning in schools, Lindsey shares actionable strategies to turn everyday moments into lessons about government, community impact, and problem-solving.

    We discuss how to engage disinterested teens, navigate polarizing topics calmly, model curiosity over certainty, and making local politics tangible for the younger amongst us.

    The great thing about Lindsey's message is we don't need to know all about politics to get our kids involved, we just need to be prepared to discuss whats happening around us.

    Perfect for parents who want to boost critical thinking, civic responsibility, and respectful dialogue at home.

    Resources and printable prompts available at teenagersuntangled.subtack.com.

    Lindsey Cormack:

    https://howtoraiseacitizen.com/

    https://constitutioncenter.org/

    Support the show

    Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit.

    You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message.

    Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits.

    My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com
    My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:
    www.teenagersuntangled.com

    Find me on Substack: https://teenagersuntangled.substack.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/
    Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/

    You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • What's a Good Parent? A Bonus Episode in Which I Ask My Own Teenager

    What's a Good Parent? A Bonus Episode in Which I Ask My Own Teenager
    Jun 8 2026

    Ask Rachel anything

    In this bonus episode Amelia and I discussed how hard it is to get parenting right, focusing on the misconceptions of gentle parenting and the importance of setting high expectations with support.

    The full listen to the full episode and read all of my thoughts on it by clicking here. It doesn't cost you anything, it's just a better place for me to store it.

    We thought it would be really useful for you to hear us talking so that you can get ideas for how you can open up your own conversations at home.

    Amelia emphasizes the need for clear communication, boundaries, and understanding the root causes of a child's behavior.

    The conversation highlighted the significance of maintaining a healthy relationship, avoiding emotional responses, and fostering independence.

    Amelia suggests using reminders and sit-down conversations to address issues without punishment.

    Amelia also stressed the importance of addressing mental health concerns and being open to feedback to improve parenting skills.

    Support the show

    Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit.

    You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message.

    Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits.

    My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com
    My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:
    www.teenagersuntangled.com

    Find me on Substack: https://teenagersuntangled.substack.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/
    Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/

    You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk
    Show More Show Less
    10 mins
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Thank you to you both. At last I’ve found someone/something to listen to, relate to and be reassured by. Parenting my 12 and 14 year olds is wonderful but also has its difficulties and I’m left feeling drained and confused as to whether I’m actually doing it all ok for them? I thought the episodes regarding screen time and grooming were spot on and informative. I’m actually going to get them both to listen to them with me when we do a longer car journey so they can hear first hand why I put in place restrictions myself. They often make me feel like I’m over the top and too over protective. You have reassured me I’m doing ok. Thank you girls from a very grateful mummy who is also learning on the job and winging it every day! 😊 xx

Thank you 🙏

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Absolutely loved this. I'm a MH social worker, have worked alongside psychiatrists and psychologists for 20 years and think I'm pretty skilled... Then, daughter goes to high school and WHAM, this is a whole new world of chaos and I've been reading, researching and scrolling and today, found this and oh my, this has hit the nail on the head! I feel like I have so much more clarity now and therefore am able to help my daughter through this turbulent time. Brilliant, just brilliant, will be listening to all the episodes and waiting for more. Thank you 🙏

This is just what I needed today!

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An invaluable resource for anyone struggling with the challenges of parenting teenagers in these rapidly changing times

Research-led Practical Advice for Parents

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Such a great source of advice - I often find myself nodding along and thinking - yes, you get it! I’d recommend it to anyone parenting teens.

Invaluable for parents of teens

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