Teen emotions can feel like tidal waves—fast, loud, and all-consuming—while adult logic stands on the shore holding a towel. We dig into why that happens and how to turn everyday friction into growth by understanding the science of adolescent brain development.
With clinical child psychologist Dr. Peter Montminy, we unpack the “under construction” brain: a limbic system fueled by reward and social feedback, and a prefrontal cortex still wiring up skills like planning, impulse control, and long-term thinking. We explore why peers matter so much, why risk-taking is adaptive for identity formation, and how dopamine and stress hormones amplify both excitement and anxiety. Rather than treating behavior as defiance, we reframe it as development; and that shift opens doors to better conversations, safer choices, and real learning.
You’ll hear practical strategies you can use right away. Start with the power of the pause to steady yourself. Use connection before correction to keep the channel open. Swap blame for clarity with I‑statements that align expectations to values. Coach instead of control by asking appreciative questions that help teens connect thoughts, feelings, actions, and outcomes. Teach circles of control, co-create guardrails, and repair after conflict to strengthen trust. These small moments of curiosity, accountability, and support are not just nice—they’re the experiences that sculpt neural pathways for resilience.
If the teenage years have you second-guessing your approach, this conversation offers a grounded roadmap: clear boundaries, warm connection, and skill-building in the calm. Share it with a parent, teacher, or caregiver who could use a little science and a lot of relief. Subscribe, leave a review to help others find the show, and tell us: what’s one strategy you’ll try this week?
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.
This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.
Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.
A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.
Music created by Ken Baxter.
(c) 2025. Jana Marie Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
