How do we move from simply surviving adolescence to truly thriving? What if every intense emotion—from anger to anxiety—wasn't a problem to be fixed, but a data point to be understood? In this powerful conversation, host Michael Wish sits down with licensed therapist Brittany Fella, who has spent 17 years working exclusively with teens and parents.
Brittany shares a transformative framework for navigating the emotional landscape of not just the teenage years, but adulthood as well. Listen in for surprising insights on why today's teens are craving real connection away from their phones , the crucial difference between coaching and therapy , and why the most important first step you can take is to simply "start by starting". This episode is a must-listen for parents, young adults, coaches, and anyone looking to build a more resilient and examined life.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
- [00:46] Brittany's Origin Story: How personal struggle with addiction in her early 20s inspired a 17-year career helping adolescents.
- [03:00] The Key to a Vital Life: Why having access to your inner world and understanding your emotional triggers is critical for navigating life with vitality.
- [05:04] Your Emotions are Data: A powerful reframe for looking at emotional meltdowns not as failures, but as data points that reveal how you work. Curiosity is the key to deadening an emotion's intensity.
- [08:19] What's Underneath Anger?: A deep dive into how anger, especially in parenting, often masks underlying feelings of fear, hurt, or being underappreciated.
- [09:20] From Surviving to Thriving: How to help teens shift from a "victim mode" to understanding the challenges presented to them and building community for support.
- [15:26] The Secret to Authentic Community: The importance of leaders and adults modeling vulnerability by talking about their own struggles and how they move through pain.
- [19:43] Are Phones Losing Their Power?: Brittany's surprising observation that adolescents are finding themselves unfulfilled by their phones and want to be more present with each other.
- [29:51] The Best Advice? Just Start:
- Why waiting until you have all the answers is a mistake, and the power of taking a risk and "starting by starting".
- [31:46] Therapy vs. Coaching: Brittany breaks down the fundamental differences, explaining that coaching is more strategy-based while psychotherapy delves into the depths of your soul and childhood.
- [35:55] Breaking the Stigma: A candid discussion on why men often adopt the "rub some dirt in it" mentality and the incredible benefits of preventative marriage counseling.
Connect with Our Guest:
Find Brittany Fella and learn more about her individual and group sessions for teens and parents. She provides in-person services in Orange County, California, and offers coaching worldwide.
Connect with Teach, Coach, Mentor:
