Shows
Smells Like Teen ParentEp 24: Inside Youth Sports: Joy, Risk, And Real-Life LessonsSend us a textIn this episode we unpack why teens join, why they quit, and how to keep sports joyful while still building grit, trust, and leadership. Adult expert Scott Jarvis shares how great coaches center people over trophies and how families can reduce burnout and widen access.Let's talk about:• participation trends, injury risks, and dropout data• cheer as a case study in trust and fear• athlete to athletic trainer pathway and health literacy• burnout versus healthy culture and fun• transferable skills for school, college, and careers• inclusive options beyo...
2025-12-0426 minSmells Like Teen ParentEpisode 23 Student Spotlight: Autism, Advocacy & Power-Ups with GabrielSend us a textwww.yesandcounseling.com smellsliketeenparent@gmail.com
2025-05-1017 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 22: When Speaking Truth Becomes Dangerous: The Decision to Remove Episode 6Send us a textwww.yesandcounseling.com smellsliketeenparent@gmail.com
2025-05-0302 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 21: Empowering Neurodiverse Students through Special EducationSend us a textDiscover the transformative power of advocacy and inclusive education with guest Dr. Kristin Vogel-Campbell, a leading expert in special education. This episode promises to equip you with practical strategies for navigating the often-challenging world of special education, from early interventions to transitions from high school to college. She shares how fostering partnerships among educators, families, and administrators to ensure that every student receives the support they need. Through the compelling voices of our diverse student contributors, you'll gain firsthand insights into how accommodations like 504 plans and IEPs can open doors to educational success...
2025-02-1020 minSmells Like Teen ParentEmbracing Neurodiversity: Jonathan Cormur's Journey Through Theater and AdvocacySend us a textWhat if embracing your unique identity could lead to a rewarding career in the performing arts? Join Jenny Debevec as she talks with Jonathan Cormur, an accomplished actor and passionate advocate for neurodiversity, who opens up about his journey with autism. From the challenges of navigating a Catholic school environment to discovering his passion for theater and voiceover, Jonathan's story is a testament to the power of self-acceptance and resilience. Listen as he recounts his transformative experiences and his impactful work at Great America theme park, which not only boosted his confidence but...
2024-08-1626 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 17: Student Spotlight: Transforming Health Education for Young WomenSend us a textEver wondered why so many young women are misinformed about their own bodies? On this episode of "Smells Like Teen Parent," high school students Alexis Hom and Emma Slocum tackle the glaring gaps in women's health education with their junior capstone project. From sharing personal struggles to confronting the unreliable information circulating on social media, Alexis and Emma shed light on the urgent need for accurate education on puberty, menstruation, STDs, and healthy relationships. They also bust the myth of perfect body standards perpetuated by AI and social media, revealing the real-life consequences...
2024-06-1918 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 16: Trust, Truth, and Lies: How to Build More Honest Relationships Between Teens and AdultsSend us a textDiscover the delicate dance of trust that defines the ever-evolving parent-teen relationship with thoughtful insights from Jenny Debevec, adult guest expert Dr. Eric Solomon and teens themselves. Together, we peel back the layers of truth, lies, and the quest for adolescent independence, offering you a treasure trove of understanding and strategies to fortify these crucial bonds. Hear heartfelt stories and expert research that illuminate the reasons behind teenage secrecy and its reverberating effects on everything from school success to self-esteem. We confront the tough issues head-on, advising on how to handle the moment...
2024-03-2724 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 15: Guiding Teens to Careers from DreamsSend us a textJoin me, Jenny Debevec, on this journey through the transformative world of career counseling. Let's explore how early conversations about ambitions can shape the lives of adolescents and teens. Imagine a child's playful dream of designing Lego masterpieces transitioning into a fulfilling career - this episode unpacks how nurturing youthful imagination and self-efficacy equips our youth with the tools to turn their vibrant visions into actionable realities. With personal anecdotes and keen insights from children of all ages, we dissect the myriad ways exposure to diverse environments and role models serves as a c...
2024-01-2515 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 14: Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth: Transforming Love Into ActionSend us a textHave you ever wondered how to navigate the emotional labyrinth of supporting a LGBTQ+ child? Do you wish you had a guide, someone who's been through it, to offer invaluable insights? This episode, packed with candid conversations, student insights, and real-world tips, is your guide. Heather Hester, founder of Chrysalis Mama, takes us through her personal journey as a parent of LGBTQ+ youth, highlighting the essential role acceptance, open communication, and respect play in their lives. Imagine the paradigm shift required to break from traditional ideas of control and authority to c...
2023-10-0331 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 13: Bonus Feature: How Improvisation Can Make You a Better Parent! With Michael O'BrienSend us a textIn this quick and dirty episode we bring you advise from the street corner with improv guru and public radio talk show host Michael O’Brien, who shares the life lessons and parenting rules you can learn from improvisation:There are no rulesSay Yes, (or at least be curious about what they want)There are no mistakes (and when there are, learn from them!) Life is full of contradictions, so stop trying to make it all make sense.Develop your own...
2023-09-0406 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 12: Humor: Are You Funny Enough to Parent a Teen?Send us a textIn this episode, we're diving into the science behind the value of humor in parenting! What kinds of humor do kids prefer and how does that influence their behavior? How does does having a sense of humor help you raise an adolescent? What kinds of humor are not effective with teens? How can you cultivate a sense of humor if you don’t really think you are that funny? You will hear from guest expert on humor Michael O’Brien and from students themselves.This episode is br...
2023-08-0526 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 11: How does Anxiety Affect Teens and how can Mindfulness Help?Send us a textIn this episode we discuss anxiety. Anxiety is the number one concern students and parents present in counseling referrals. Why are rates of anxiety and depression skyrocketing? What are the triggers for adolescent anxiety and what are effective ways to help your kid notice and calm their anxiety? You will hear from students themselves and adult expert David Flores, Lead Trainer for Mindful Life Project. Mindful Life Project is an amazing program that is transforming schools from the inside out with innovative and comprehensive mindfulness based social-emotional learning programming.
2023-06-3016 minSmells Like Teen ParentEpisode 10 Effective Discipline for AdolescentsSend us a textIn this episode we discuss how to create effective adolescent discipline (rather than mere punishment, which doesn't even work for rats). You will hear from students, parents of teens who survived those years, and our expert guest Dr. Sheila Krotz, founder and CEO of Positive Influences, providing science based training in 21st Century Learning and Living strategies; she's also a powerhouse elementary school principal. Please download, subscribe, and share this episode so we can keep building an informed supportive, humble community of caregivers. www.yesa...
2023-05-1020 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 9: ADHD Part 2: What do psychiatrists recommend?Send us a textWhat are the different kinds of ADHD? Who should be on medication? Can kids overdose? What are the side effects? In the last episode we talked about what ADHD and ADD is, what helps teen focus and answered questions from parents of teens with ADD. In this episode we have the honor of speaking with psychiatrist Pamela Moslin, who offers over 35 years of experience in the medical field and currently serves on the staff at Evergreen College in Olympia. Please download, subscribe, and share this around so we can keep building an in...
2022-11-1122 minSmells Like Teen ParentADHD and ADD Part 2: Interview with Dr. MoslinIn this episode of our two part series on ADHD and ADD we have the honor of speaking with psychiatrist Pamela Moslin, who offers over 35 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Moslin offers insight on the following questions and more!Are there different kinds of ADD?How do we recognize ADD? What is the best treatment for ADD?Can you get addicted to ADD medication?Please download, subscribe, and share this around so we can keep building an informed supportive, humble community of caregivers.
2022-10-1722 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 8 Part 1: Is Adolescent ADHD Different?Send us a textIn the next two episodes we are going to talk about how teen ADHD differ from earlier childhood ADHD? Does playing video games give your kids ADHD? Can they get ADHD from those wild and chatty friends? What distinct challenges might adolescents face and how can you support them in middle, high school, and beyond? How can you build a collaborative team to ensure that teens with ADHD make the most of their educational setting? And finally, we will touch on how to take a breath so that you can best...
2022-08-2618 minSmells Like Teen ParentBonus! Parent Tools for Productive Discussions about Social MediaSend us a textSo how DO we talk to teens in an effective way? Bringing you parents and caregivers a set of micro-skills to foster honest productive dialogues about loaded topics. These Microskills include: Attending behavior and empathy Being present and openObservation, where you note how the body language, vocal quality, and facial expression of the child changes depending on what they are saying.In this bonus feature you will hear uncut conversations between me and my...
2022-03-2609 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 7: Smells Like Social MediaSend us a textIn this episode, school counselor and academic consultant Jenny Debevec is going to pry open the vault of what is happening during screen time-- is social media connecting youth or spawning addiction? Is Instagram to blame for your adolescent becoming a narcissist? To what degree are teens capable of monitoring usage themselves? And what DO they want and need from adults in terms of guidelines and assistance?Featuring reflections by guest students, social media experts, and my very own adolescent, whose phone basically turns into a brick a...
2022-02-0218 minSmells Like Teen ParentEpisode 6: SEX and Empowered PubertyIn this fun and uplifting episode we take a look at one of the biggest land mines and causes of tongue tied-ness of raising our generation in bloom: sex and puberty . What are the most pressing concerns of teens and their adult caregivers today? What do teens want to tell you but can’t? What does our evolving understanding of sex and gender identity mean in terms of sex education? Featuring our guest experts from One Medical Nina Metsovaara, FNP, and May...
2021-12-1519 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 5: Spotlight on Huckleberry Youth Programs: Interview with Executive Director Doug StylesSend us a textBringing you a special interim episode spotlighting one of the organizations Smells Like Teen Parent supports with every download our listeners make. For each download from episode four, creator Jenny Debevec will donate a dollar to this organization. Huckleberry’s mission is to educate, inspire, and support under served youth to develop healthy life choices, to maximize their potential, and to realize their dreams. Since 1967, they have been providing San Francisco and Marin youth and their families with a network of services and opportunities by caring peers and adults.For...
2021-12-1112 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 4: Teen Friendships: The Good, the Bad, and the Awkward!Send us a textIn this podcast episode we take a look at Adolescent Relationships: The Good, the Bad, and the Awkward. What makes adolescent friendships so important? How can we help them get through conflicts and heartbreak? What are ways to support teens making healthy friends and setting boundaries? Hear the latest research, honest reflections by adolescents themselves, and advice for our parent listeners. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launStart for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a co...
2021-11-2415 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 3: What Makes a Successful Adolescent?Send us a textIn this episode we focus on what makes a successful adolescent? We look at research about what helps and hinders success, hear from students themselves, offer advice to other parents, and learn how adults can make a difference! www.yesandcounseling.com smellsliketeenparent@gmail.com
2021-10-1916 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 2: What is Really Going on during College Application SeasonSend us a text In this episode host Jenny Debevec gets real about college applications! What it means to apply to college, what makes it hard, and what helps organize and destress your college app process. She speaks with experts and students, offering advice and recommendations about what you can do to help move things along with your sanity intact. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launStart for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to yo...
2021-09-1515 minSmells Like Teen ParentEp 1: Back to School! (No Really) We're Going Back to School.Send us a textThis fun and thoughtful podcast included reflections on the changes this past year has brought, recommendations on how to help families with adolescents make a successful return to the classroom and features an interview (and advice from) the host's own adolescent. www.yesandcounseling.com smellsliketeenparent@gmail.com
2021-08-2315 minSmells Like Teen ParentTrailerSend us a textWelcome to Smells like Teen Parent, a podcast for adolescents and the adults that annoy them. This podcast adds a little humor to the ongoing dialogue about raising teens who are capable, resilient, and curious (and cleanish). With useful discussions and get real advice about things like school success, college preparation, social-emotional health, learning differences, gender and sexual identity, and oh yeah, how about some parent self-care? Because wouldn’t it be nice if at graduation, you were all still speaking to each other?Jen...
2021-07-3102 min