Teenagers Untangled has been picked by The Times UK as one of the top podcasts for parents

Older Teens Episodes

May 13, 2025

142: Why school exam systems need to change and how to support our own kids now

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? The intense, content-heavy exam system in the UK kicks off at this time of year with GCSEs and A levels; high-stakes exams that can feel like a make-or-break moment for teenagers. I've already discussed with Susie how we can support our teens through the stress, which you can download here: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/exam-revision-parenting-through-the-pressure/ This time I'm joined by jo…

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April 15, 2025

138: How to get your teenager out of their bedroom - even one who's into gaming.

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? So many parents feel a deep loss when their teenager begins to separate from them; staying in their room and behaving as if the person they used to adore is the most embarassing thing they have ever witnessed. In today's episode I brought in Anita Cleare, author of How to Get Your Teenager Out of Their Bedroom, to discuss the challenges of parenting teenagers. In her book she covers the key things tha…

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April 1, 2025

136: Are education and hard work less important now than parents?

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? I grew up believing in a meritocracy; with hard work - and government funding of my university education - I eventually escaped a difficult home and poor schooling to succeed in journalism. But times have moved on, and the reality now is that getting a university education is no longer the gateway it used to be. In fact, according to generational expert and historian, Dr Eliza Filby, our life chances and .…

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March 10, 2025

133: How to plan ahead for an empty nest that's full of possibility

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? Empty nest syndrome is real, and can be very painful to navigate. I've already discussed it with Susie, including ideas for how we can manage our feelings in a positive way to help us move on. https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/empty-nest-how-to-cope-when-your-teen-moves-out-also-manners-what-are-they-and-what-should-we-te/But are we looking at it in the wrong way? Change management specialist, Hanna …

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March 4, 2025

132: Work: What we parents can do to help our kids end up with a meaningful role in society.

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? Another day another newspaper headline that says young people aren't working. According to the Financial Times newspaper, 13.4 per cent of people in the United Kingdon in the 16 to 24 age group were not in employment education or training - “NEET” - at the end of last year. The ONS figures showed a higher rate of young men outside work or training, with 14.4 per cent of 16- to 24-year-olds classed as …

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Feb. 4, 2025

128: Life skills: How to supercharge them with a working holiday.

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? Sponsored by JENZA Positively life changing is how I would sum up the time I spent working abroad during my gap year. I met people with a completely different world view, different language, and learnt to navigate many challenges alone. It gave me a positive, can-do attitude to life. Now my teens are 16 and 18, I want to make sure they have the confidence to meet whatever life throws at them head-on. Given…

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Oct. 22, 2024

113: Motivation: How to motivate your teenager. An interview with eminent Psychologist David Yeager

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? When kids hit puberty they become driven by a core motivation that many of us adults don't fully appreciate. It's not simply fun, or sex; they're looking for experiences that give them social status and respect. According to David Yeager, author of 10-25: The Science of How to Motivate Young People, a societal belief that teens and young adults are lazy and incompetent causes us to misunders…

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Oct. 1, 2024

110: The hardest part of parenting a teen? We discuss the 18-22 year stage.

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? A recent Tweet focused my mind on something I've only really glimpsed with a side-eye. We hear so much about the challenges of the early teen years that it's easy to forget young adults have their own issues. As the Tweeter said, when our kids are 18-22 they're dealing with adult emotions, disappointing experiences and us parents have zero control; making it terrible to witness. The response…

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Sept. 3, 2024

106: Reading Festival tips - straight from the mouths of teenagers.

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? Music festivals are a rite of passage for many teens. Whilst some love the music, the lack of restriction and opportunities to mingle in a way that they could have only dreamt of during Covid, others decide to give them a miss or go and positively hate the experience. I was never a festival kid growing up. I didn't have the money, or the opportunity. As an adult, I've found them to be joyous even…

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Aug. 20, 2024

104: Driving lessons - Top tips for a smooth road ahead

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? Whether your teen is currently learning to drive, or those days are in the future, it helps to prepare ahead. Both Rachel and Susie have teens learning, so it's a great time for Rachel to go through all of the tips and data to help us all think ahead about what is involved and how to make their life behind the wheel as safe and smooth as possible. The free RISK ANTICIPATION driving course: https://www…

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