Reviews

Dearest Rachel, I loved your episode and was so moved by how you went into each issue and so sensitively unpicked the problems and helped me make sense of them. You are amazing and I cannot thank you enough. I am writing with great news that my daughter visited a local state school with her dad on an Open Day and was really impressed with it. We received a phone call today that she has been accepted! I really feel this will be a step in the right direction towards our values and I think she will find her tribe in this school. You are so right at this age you just want to fit in. (even better this school has a mandatory backpack so no fancy shopper allowed!) My parenting is definitely a work in progress and it is humbling how hard it is. It really is the hardest most relentless but most rewarding job of all and it is those moments of joy that we hold on to. It feels wonderful to share one of my lowest lows with you and now a real high. What a rollercoaster ride this is. Thank you so much for everything you do and know that you really are both making a huge difference to parents who just think they are failing their kids. That shift in perspective and rooting in values and the long game really helps.

You have been such a wealth of inspiration and support to me with my three teenage boys. Whenever I’ve felt at a loss, I just dip into one of her podcasts and immediately a reassure if voice and sound, honest advice helps me to navigate this difficult journey of being a parent.

I found your discussion on reducing nagging through routines incredibly helpful. The practical tips for managing common teen challenges like bedtime, healthy eating, and screen time were spot-on. I appreciate the focus on adapting successful strategies from other parents. Looking forward to trying these in my own household!

Understanding executive function defecits has been eye-opening. It's not about laziness; it's about skill development. This podcast episode highlights how we can identify and support teens struggling with these challenges. Excited to explore how targeted training can empower them to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals effectively.

First of all thank you thank you and thank you again for your podcast. It is so spot on. It makes me feel less alone on this journey, it gives me hope, makes me laugh and most important of all, it takes the pressure of my shoulders and not the opposite (I could have, should have…) so thank you from mum to mum!

This morning while driving my stepson ( Bonus Son like you lovely say) to one of his GSCE exams, we listened to the FOMO episode. We both enjoyed it very much and it triggered a rich conversation between us, so thank you very much. He said he found the podcast super interesting and we will be listening to more of them together (-: Best bit ( and made the podcast super relatable) was the mention of the RAP drama between Drake & Kendrick. I didn't know about it but my stepson of course knew and he explained all of it to me. So thank you for creating a special moment between us. Veronique

Hello there lovely sounding ladies!! I stumbled on your podcast just last weekend, down at the bottom of New Zealand, while out walking , -in tears, having just had the worst week or so with my almost 13 year old, and thinking I could do nothing right, and that deep down I knew it shouldn’t be this hard. Well….. I walked 9km that afternoon as I just didn’t want to stop listening to you!!!! My son is struggling with last year of full primary school, friends, fitting in etc etc and he was taking it out on me. “Connection” was the key word that stuck out to me, as obvious as anything. Like a lightbulb moment. Just like when he was little, but here I was thinking he was all grown up (duh!!) Thankyou so much for your podcast, I haven’t stopped listening since, so informative and real, and just lovely. Listening to you both has got me back on track, in tune with what I normally do naturally, find my kind heart, to stop overthinking and worrying and to capture these years in time with love and joy too. Thankyou!

Extremely grateful to have found your podcast, thank you both and all your excellent contributors.

I wish I had discovered you before my child turned teenager and I was not prepared for what was coming and I'm upset that (with hindsight) I mismanaged some early situations at the time. It is incredibly helpful to hear that they need us as a bucket to pour all their emotions into and not necessarily to *fix things*. I also love the analogy of teens being in lifeboats at sea while we are on the shore, watching and available to help if they need us. I find the episodes calming and supportive, even though many of the hurdles have not arisen, it is nice to know that there is somewhere to go for research and tips should they arise. Well done for creating this "hug" for parents like me that didn't know they needed one!

I felt really lonely in my struggles as a parent and you really changed that. Your show really is that hug I need on my hard days. Today was another one!

It's helped me to improve how I communicate with my 3 teenagers. I wish I had heard your wise words years ago. The mindfulness tips are helping me maintain my weight. Love the nuggets. Best wishes from the U.S.A

Just started listening a week ago and I love the show

I have learned so much from listening to your podcast. Thank you for sharing all of your experiences with us.

I was so lucky to come across your podcast last Summer whilst trying to navigate guidance to help with my now 17yr old son who has ADHD. I have since then backtracked and listened to EVERY single episode to the point that l now feel quite depressed that l have to wait a week before getting to hear a new one!!!! I won’t lie, there are certain times that your own experiences couldn’t be further removed from my world like when you share a beautiful nugget that your child has thanked you for being so strict with electronics/social media!! Instances like that I feel like we’re on different planet and l won’t lie, sometimes it has made me feel a bit deflated as l can’t help but compare… BUT it’s all about balance and there is an abundance of so much else that you both kindly and selflessly give, which is what has made me share your podcast with so many of my friends. Because of your episodes, I’ve had conversations with my children about vaping, pornography and even Andrew Tate who l must admit l didn’t even know about before your podcast! Its been such an eye opening journey to be able to have these open conversations with my teens, armed with the incredible facts that you so meticulously find out. The one episode which I’d say I took the most from though was the one on Entitlement. Your story Rachel about charging your daughter for petrol/milage as natural consequence for her actions was a game changer for me concerning my son and him always being late and expecting us to just be his taxi ride. In fact, I know you’re always kindly asking for ideas so l would love more episodes on this area please. Sorry for long messsge - but it is written with all my love and deep gratitude. Thank you xxxxx

Recently started working my way through these podcasts and have found them super-useful for navigating my way through the teenage years. I have 13 year old twin girls who are best friends one minute and screaming at each the next! One of my daughters is very hard on herself when she doesn’t perform as well as she hoped particularly with things she loves, such as sports (she plays in a netball team) and her art work. But also with all her school work, tests etc. Would love some advice on how to help her through this.

This is helping me so much, I am a foster carer to 3 teenagers and have been looking for resources to help me help them. This podcast is a lifesaver for me.

Recently started working my way through these podcasts and have found them super-useful for navigating my way through the teenage years. I have 13 year old twin girls who are best friends one minute and screaming at each the next! One of my daughters is very hard on herself when she doesn’t perform as well as she hoped particularly with things she loves, such as sports (she plays in a netball team) and her art work. But also with all her school work, tests etc. Would love some advice on how to help her through this.

I’ve just come across your podcast and can I just say how fantastic it is?! I founded a charity for young people that uses coaching to support their wellbeing and this is so in line to what we try and practice. We are also aware of the need to support parents so I will definitely be directing them to this podcast. Thank you again

OMG, I sooo needed this today, sitting in a dark, empty lobby of a hotel in Florida emotionally spinning as I wait for my son to come down and we head out for this race. Rachel Richards you are amazing, this isn't the 1st time your words have saved me - please never stop sharing your incredible talent, wisdom and honesty xxx

Hi ladies! I've been listening to you for a year now here in the Philippines. I love your podcast and have listened to all your episodes! I have 2 teens and I have been learning a lot from you! Love lots!

I found this podcast at just the right time in the early stages of tween/girl mom dysfunction. It gave me the perspective change I needed… she’s right where she’s supposed to be! Thank you.

I started listening to your podcasts last year. Now I'm going back to the beginning to hear all the episodes I missed! Your ideas are really helping me to be a better parent to our 3 teen boys. Thank you so much!!! Cathy

Such helpful tips and ideas to help us support our teens. Thank you both. Xx

I absolutely loved this episode, so many great nuggets, curiosity over judgement - will apply to finding why my teenage bonus son is doing a bare minimum at school and try to build stronger relationship with him, the importance of community and that everything works out in the end. I had to leave a lovely community when girls were little and haven't found another yet. Well actually I did, yours, thank you. Wellbeingjournaling/Intagram

I am so grateful for this podcast. Listening to Susie and Rachel reminds me I am not alone in this crazy world of parenting my tween and teenager. Their advice and ideas have certainly helped me reflect on how I parent and how I can best manage this stage of our lives. I know that listening has certainly helped my family in many ways. They really are a virtual hug, I look forward to each new episode. I have recommended them to so many friends and have found their content has facilitated lots of really helpful conversations amongst my friends who are also navigating this parenting rollercoaster. Thank you lovely ladies for sharing your experiences and caring. Tina

Thank you for your time, brilliant research and down to earth chatty style. I have greatly appreciated your podcast in Australia. Sharon/Instagram

Loving these podcasts on raising teens. Thank you. Jean/Apple podcasts

Loved your first episode of 2024. Thanks! Susie's strategy for helping kids to want to go back to school is a topic I hope you discuss more in the future.

Full of very good discussions & info easy to understand & greatly appreciate. Your experience is a treasure. We're extremely lucky you share with us. Thank you. Please keep it coming!

This morning I used strategies you have mentioned to defuse a situation with my youngest teen who was angry over a miscommunication. Thank you! Keep going! Happy New Year from the USA! Cathy Chiang/email