Today’s guest, Laura Lyles Reagan, family sociologist and parenting communication coach, brings powerful reminders about the deep social roots of teen well-being.

We unpack how intentional rites of passage, strong support networks, and real communication shape a teenager’s sense of safety and belonging — and how we can step up in meaningful ways.

Tune in to hear practical ways to help teens build resilience and confidence in a world that can feel overwhelming. Small steps make a lasting difference.

Homework Ideas:

Build a Teen Support Network Map

Help teens list trusted adults and mentors they can turn to for different types of support (academic, emotional, practical). Use a simple tree, mind map, or committee chart.

Create Family Rites of Passage

Identify and celebrate meaningful milestones beyond academics (e.g., first solo trip to the store, managing their own schedule, contributing to a family project).

Practice Conscious Conversations

Focus on open-ended questions and true listening without judgment or "but" statements. Model emotional safety by validating feelings before offering advice.

Introduce a Communication Journal

Set up a simple journal where teens can share thoughts with parents or mentors outside of stressful moments.

Resources

Conversation Starters to use with silent or moody teens and the Conflict Free Conversation Checklist at https://LauraLReagan.com

Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide

About Laura

Laura Lyles Reagan, MS is a family sociologist, youth development researcher, parent and teen communication coach and award-winning author of How to Raise Respectful Parents. She helps parents and teens move from conflict to connection that lasts a lifetime. She teaches communication skills which help parents co-create solutions to problems and build positive futures together in her coaching practice and parent workshops nationwide.

https://LauraLReagan.com

Facebook Group, @Brave Parents Raising Teens

Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

When emotions get tangled up in rumination, kids—and adults—can stay stuck. Expressive writing offers a way out.

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline Buzanko shares how writing helps shift overwhelming emotions into structured thinking, builds resilience, and keeps the brain's self-regulation system online. She explains why freewriting beats silent spiraling, how to introduce this tool to kids, and how a simple daily habit can create lasting emotional change.

This episode explores:

· Why writing regulates better than talking or thinking

· How to introduce structured emotional writing at home and school

· Ways to adapt expressive writing for different ages and comfort levels

· How to use gratitude journals, letters, and storytelling to strengthen resilience

Homework Ideas:

Personal Trial

Spend 15–20 minutes writing freely about an emotional experience for 4 consecutive days. No editing, no structure. Just write.

Introduce to Kids

· Adapt freewriting for different ages: drawing, storytelling, or voice-to-text if needed.

· Introduce a Feelings Journal with no rules—just a safe space.

Gratitude Practice

Write 3 things you’re grateful for each night for one week. Try it with kids too.

Communication Journal

Start a parent-child or teacher-student communication notebook. Quietly pass it back and forth. No pressure, no corrections.

Story Rewrites

Encourage rewriting tough experiences with a different ending to build emotional flexibility.

Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

When it comes to helping kids manage big emotions, we often think about what to say. But sometimes the most powerful support isn’t verbal—it’s physical.

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline Buzanko explores how safe, affectionate touch builds emotional security, reduces stress, and strengthens connection. Learn how simple, proactive physical contact like hugs, high-fives, and gentle reassurance can regulate emotions better than words ever could.

This episode covers:

· How touch calms the nervous system and reduces anxiety

· Why proactive physical connection builds trust and emotional resilience

· Practical ways to use touch to strengthen relationships

· How to respect comfort zones while fostering deeper emotional connections

Homework Ideas:

✅ Proactive Connection Challenge

· Give at least one extra physical touch every day (hug, high-five, hand on shoulder).

· Notice emotional responses without using extra words.

✅ Observe and Adjust:

· Track how different kids or teens respond to different types of touch.

· Respect comfort levels and ask if needed.

✅ Mississippi Hugs:

· Try a 6-second hug rule ("Six Mississippi's") at key moments: greeting, goodbye, before bedtime.

✅ Silent Presence Practice:

· Sit quietly next to a dysregulated child without speaking. Focus on calming presence and gentle proximity.

Prefer to watch?

Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Kids don’t manipulate—they learn. And often, they’re learning from us.

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline Buzanko takes a hard look at what’s really going on when adults feel “manipulated” by big emotions. Whether it’s whining, shouting, tears, or shutdowns, we unpack how reinforcement, not manipulation, shapes behavior—and what we can do to stop accidentally teaching kids to rely on emotional outbursts to get what they want.

Perfect for anyone with kids or working with kids, this episode delivers:

· Why kids lean on emotional reactions (and how they get reinforced)

· How to stop giving mixed signals without shutting down expression

· Tools to validate emotion without rewarding behavior

· Consistent boundaries that build real emotional skill

Prefer to WATCH?

Homework Ideas

Audit Your Reactions

· Track one situation where a child whines, yells, or shuts down

· Write down your response

· Ask: Did I reinforce the behaviour? Did I validate the emotion without changing the rule?

Practice Broken Record Validation

· Create a go-to phrase: “I hear you. That’s frustrating.”

· Repeat it calmly when pushback increases—but don’t budge on the boundary.

Teach the Rules of Communication

· Frontload expectations: “I don’t understand whining. Talk to me when you’re ready.”

· Respond with calm consistency every time.

Model Emotion Ownership

Use your own stress moments to say: “I’m feeling overwhelmed. I’m going to take a walk and come back when I’m calm.”

Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Why do kids push back when we’re just trying to help? Why do teens dig in their heels at the simplest request?

In this episode, Dr. Caroline chats about the psychology behind resistance—what it really means when children, students, or even adults reject support.

We explore:

• The real reason behind pushback (hint: it’s not defiance)

• What “invisible support” looks like—and why it works

• Why autonomy matters more than compliance

• Subtle strategies to offer help without undermining confidence

• How teachers, parents, and professionals can model emotional

regulation without a power struggle

Listen in for practical ways to build trust, offer support that actually works, and create space for real emotional growth.

Prefer to watch? Check it out HERE

Homework Ideas

Weekly Reflection Challenge:

1. Identify one moment where you usually offer help.

2. Ask: Is this child resisting because they feel controlled?

3. Try giving two choices that lead to the same outcome.

4. Use the phrase: “Let me know if you need me.”

5. Watch for any shift in response. Did they engage more?

Observation Task

• Watch for a moment your child or student resists your suggestion.
• Pause. Reflect. Was it about control?
• Journal the interaction and how it might be reframed next time.

Invisible Support Ideas – Helping Without Taking Over

Here are some ideas of subtle strategies to support children and teens while respecting their independence and building confidence.

🧠 EMOTIONAL SUPPORT:

• Sit nearby during homework time without saying anything.
• Bring them a cup of tea when they seem overwhelmed.
• Use calming tone and body language instead of trying to talk them down.
• Say "I'm here if you need me," then step back.

🛠️ ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT:

• Create a distraction-free workspace they’ll want to be in.
• Loosen tight laces or prep materials subtly so they experience success.
• Handle background logistics quietly (e.g., prep snacks, tidy space).

🗣️ COMMUNICATION SUPPORT:

• Ask open-ended questions: "What do you think might help right now?"
• Avoid directives. Use gentle prompts: "I wonder if..."
• Instead of correcting, circle or highlight an area for improvement.

🏁 TASK SUPPORT:

• Handle a small errand for them when they’re visibly stressed.
• Model problem-solving out loud rather than instructing directly.
• Let them take the lead, even if it means small mistakes.

Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Today on Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline speaks with Kevin Elworth, a father of five, entrepreneur, and resilience advocate, to explore how determination and mindset shape family life and personal growth. Kevin shares his journey from fostering to adoption, navigating financial and emotional challenges, and raising kids to be independent thinkers.

Discover actionable strategies to help kids overcome “I can’t” mentalities, foster creativity, and redefine failure as learning opportunities. Tune in to get practical advice and inspiring stories to help guide children toward resilience and confidence.

Homework Ideas

• Ban “I Don’t Know” and “I Can’t”: Challenge yourself and kids to replace these phrases with action-oriented alternatives like “I need to research” or “How can I make this possible?”

• Create “Boredom Time”: Dedicate at least one afternoon per week as a no-screens, unstructured time for kids to explore their creativity.

• Support Goal-Setting: Help kids identify one goal they’re passionate about. Work with them to create a step-by-step plan to achieve it, teaching them to view setbacks as opportunities.

• Redefine Mistakes: With kids, write down recent “mistakes” and discuss what was learned from each one. Focus on the growth that came from the experience.

• Identify Strengths: Encourage kids to identify what they’re naturally good at and explore how they can use these strengths in creative or entrepreneurial ways.

About Kevin

Kevin Elworth is a renowned speaker who delights in making the complex simple with his storytelling style, he’s a fan of audiences everywhere who leave challenged, encouraged, and motivated in their pursuit of what comes next. His forthcoming book, Breaking the I Can’t Cycle, is sure to compel you toward your own determination and drive to accomplish more.

Get in touch:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=759787935

Website: https://www.kevinelworth.live/

Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Emotions are contagious—and kids absorb others' emotions the fastest.

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline breaks down the science of emotional contagion. Learn social media’s impact on emotion regulation and why adults should consider themselves emotional thermostats (vs. thermometers). Learn how your stress, frustration, or calm directly impacts kids’ emotions, behaviour, and learning.

To help kids regulate emotions, learn how to manage your emotional energy—online and offline—and help kids build emotional resilience.

Topics include:

• Mirror neurons & emotional contagion
• How adult moods shape kids environment
• Strategies to model emotional regulation
• Social media’s emotional rollercoaster
• Ideas to reset emotional energy and stop doom scrolling

Prefer to WATCH?

Homework Ideas

Track Your Emotional State Around Kids

* Pay attention to how your mood shifts and how kids react.

* Journal moments when your tone or facial expression changed the energy in the room.

Practice Setting the Emotional Tone

* During chaos, slow your movements and lower your voice—observe what happens.

* Use eye contact and a calm, steady voice to model regulation.

Teach Kids About Emotional Contagion:

* Watch short videos together that elicit different emotions and talk about how it made them feel.

* Ask: “Have you ever felt happier because someone smiled at you?”

* Start daily check-ins: “What mood did you catch today? What was yours?”

Social Media Reset

* Try a 24-hour Social Media Detox—notice emotional shifts.

* Curate your social feed: unfollow draining accounts, follow pages that inspire.

Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

How often do you notice the voice in your head? That constant chatter guiding your choices, second-guessing decisions, or even holding you back?

On this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline unpacks the power of our inner voice—how it helps us problem-solve, remember details, and coach ourselves through challenges, but also how it can turn against us with self-doubt and anxiety.

Learn practical ways to help yourself and your kids manage that inner dialogue, build confidence, and break free from rumination. It’s time to take control of the conversation happening inside your mind.

Prefer to watch? Check out: https://youtu.be/M965x8OCt54

📌 Homework Ideas

• Track Your Inner Voice: Spend a day paying attention to your thoughts. Take note of different voices and whether they are helpful or not.

• Name Your Inner Critic: Externalizing self-doubt makes it easier to manage. Give your critical voice a name (Self-Critical Sam, Doubtful Debbie, etc.). Get on offense and identify when you think this inner critic will show up next.

• Body Mapping Exercise: Notice where negative thoughts create tension in your body. Does self-doubt feel like a tight chest? Does worry sit in your stomach? Draw it out (with colours!).

• Shift to Action: When caught in rumination, ask, What’s next? Focus on the next small step instead of replaying worries.

Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/