This episode marks the end of our fourth season, and we’re taking the opportunity to share some insights we’ve gained over this time, with a special focus on what we have seen over the school year. We discuss some of the trends that have continued and increased and new ones we’ve noticed in the kids we work with. We touch on the power of boredom and why the true practice of gentle parenting shouldn’t mean permissiveness. Our conversation also dives into themes we’ve noticed in the world of colle...
Jun 09, 2025•24 min•Ep. 110
Have you ever wondered what the exciting, challenging, and confusing teenage years look like from the perspective of someone who sees it first-hand? And have you considered how insightful that perspective can be for you as a parent? Today, we are joined by school counselor, Jake Fauver, to discuss the most common struggles teenagers face and how parents can help them navigate this transformative time. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about the dangerous world of comparison for teens, how parents can b...
May 21, 2025•40 min•Ep. 109
The end of the school year can be a whirlwind, both for teens and their parents! In this episode, Cathy and Meredith explore how to help your teenager close out the academic year with reflection and a sense of purpose. They unpack why May is such an emotionally complex month, how to prioritize conversations about growth rather than grades, and why summer is an ideal time for deeper check-ins. From celebrating quiet wins to letting go of disappointments with compassion, this episode is packed wit...
May 14, 2025•22 min•Ep. 108
What do you do when your teen insists they can’t go to bed because they still have hours of homework left, and you know they desperately need sleep? In this episode, Cathy and Meredith unpack the nightly standoff between academic pressure and teen well-being. They dig into what’s really happening when teens claim they “don’t have time,” and explore the common culprits behind late-night work sessions, from overscheduling and distraction to anxiety and perfectionism. You’ll hear how to play the sh...
May 07, 2025•29 min•Ep. 107
The college journey puts parents and counselors in a delicate position: walking the fine line between dream supporter and dream crusher. Join Cathy and Meredith in their post-Spring Break episode as they dive into how you can both encourage and champion your kids while helping them maintain a healthy degree of balance while crafting their dream school list. They unpack the difference between having a dream and being delusional about what the college admissions process is, how to balance goals an...
May 01, 2025•28 min•Ep. 106
We recently read a Forbes article about why your kid needs to attend a competitive summer program, and we have some thoughts. Join us as we get the facts straight about the article in question and break down what you need to be aware of when it comes to these expensive summer programs that claim to give your child an edge when applying for elite colleges. Find out how many of these programs misrepresent themselves (like by suggesting they are more selective than they are), the handful of program...
Apr 02, 2025•19 min•Ep. 105
Sometimes, disciplinary issues are signs of deeper pain or turmoil in our children, making it important to step back and see things from a new perspective. In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, Cathy and Meredith dive into the various complexities of school disciplinary issues. They break down how different schools might handle these situations, share real examples of what you as a parent can expect, and offer practical advice on how parents can best support their kids through t...
Mar 26, 2025•34 min•Ep. 104
Our world is increasingly obsessed with excellence and exceptionalism. As a result, more and more parents are fixating on how to make sure their kid is everything but mediocre. But is mediocrity really something parents should be panicking over? And could their efforts actually be doing more harm than good? Today, we deconstruct all the fears parents have around mediocrity and examine how hard you should be pushing your kids when, statistically, most of us are pretty average. We dig into the har...
Mar 19, 2025•36 min•Ep. 103
Many parents wonder if allowing their teens to explore multiple interests in high school might hurt their chances of getting into a top-tier college. In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, Cathy and Meredith tackle a listener question about whether their ninth grader should focus on one passion early or continue exploring a diverse range of interests. They break down the myth of the "perfect admissions hook," the harsh reality of ultra-competitive college acceptance rates, and ho...
Mar 12, 2025•27 min•Ep. 102
Delulu is the solulu! This viral social media phrase encourages people to stay optimistic and self-confident in the face of challenges and remain grounded even in wackiness. Today, we look closer at the delulu side of things and try to find solutions to the common teen misconception that fame and success are achievable with minimal effort. We discover how the pursuit of instant gratification has made teens more delusional than ever, how inexperience informs delusion, how adults contribute to and...
Mar 05, 2025•24 min•Ep. 101
Welcome to another episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You! Today, we’re breaking down the college narrative. What it is, why it matters, and how to help your teen craft one that stands out. We’ll dive into how a college narrative differs from their school achievements, why it’s crucial to back up their story with real experiences, and how to make sure colleges see them for who they truly are. Plus, we’re sharing plenty of tips to make the process less stressful (for both you and your teen...
Feb 26, 2025•29 min•Ep. 100
AI is embedding itself in all aspects of our lives, and the college admissions process hasn’t been spared! The University of North Carolina (UNC) now uses AI to evaluate the grammar and writing style of essays, which are then used to judge admission to the university, and this move by UNC is a clear indication of why everyone involved in post-secondary education needs to understand AI in college admissions. We discuss UNC’s AI screening protocol, what it looks like from a student’s perspective, ...
Feb 19, 2025•22 min•Ep. 99
As coaches, we often come across self-confidence issues among teens; whether it be deep insecurity or grandiosity. So, today we wanted to discuss self-esteem, when it’s healthy and unhealthy, and signs that your teenager may be struggling with their self-esteem. Tuning in, you’ll learn about the signs of low self-esteem to look out for, when arrogance is masking itself as self-confidence, how kids with high self-esteem present, and so much more! We delve into how parents can help their kids buil...
Feb 12, 2025•29 min•Ep. 98
Cathy and Meredith are back with another episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, and this time, they’re tackling the wild world of college visits! From planning the trip to squeezing the most out of every campus tour and, most importantly, figuring out what actually matters once you’re there, they’ve got you covered. Tune in to find out why signing up for the official college tour is a must, which parent-approved tours should really be optional add-ons, and what students should do before ...
Feb 06, 2025•31 min•Ep. 97
Does it seem like your teens are just coasting through school, disengaged, bored, and overwhelmed? In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, Cathy and Meredith explore the challenges teens face in academics and how parents can help them thrive. From fostering engagement in boring classes to building effective study habits, you’ll learn actionable strategies for overcoming obstacles like disorganized time management, over-scheduling, and distractions. You’ll also find out why sleep, ...
Jan 29, 2025•28 min•Ep. 96
Deferrals—what do they mean, and what should your teenager do next? In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we dive into the world of college admissions deferrals, breaking down the process, and provide actionable advice for crafting a standout Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI). In our conversation, we explore what colleges are really looking for and why the LOCI might not matter as much as you think. Discover misconceptions about the admissions process, find out why institution...
Jan 22, 2025•22 min•Ep. 95
All parents worry about traumatizing their children. The truth is, if you’re a present parent who makes your child feel loved, screwing them up isn’t very likely! Today on Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we discuss whether or not you can f-up your kids. In this conversation, you’ll find out why we believe it’s quite difficult to f-up your children, the complex combination of factors that typically cause dysfunction, how to ensure your child feels loved, accepted, important, and prioritized, ...
Jan 15, 2025•32 min•Ep. 94
Today's generation of children has a remarkable knack for deconstructing the world around them. They reject judgment, advocate for inclusivity, and go to great lengths to ensure every disenfranchised voice has a seat at the table. And let’s be honest—no one calls out hypocrisy quite like a teenager! Joining Cathy and Meredith to dive into an insightful discussion, is their friend, Jenn Gaskin. Tune in to learn more about Jenn, the challenges she’s observed with today’s generation, and the positi...
Jan 09, 2025•42 min•Ep. 93
Most kids have no idea what a liberal arts education really is, or why it might be a great choice! Today on Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we discuss a liberal arts education, why it’s beneficial, and so much more! We delve into what makes a liberal arts college unique, how it differs from a traditional university, the benefits of this kind of education, and what a liberal arts degree can be used for. We go on to discuss Meredith’s experience of being a liberal arts major and how it gave he...
Dec 18, 2024•36 min•Ep. 92
Have you equipped your teen to make informed choices about substance use? During this episode, Bella, a Senior at a Boarding School back East, joins us to share the inside scoop of what’s really going on at teen parties. Since the start of her high school career, she has been involved in advocating for teens with substance abuse issues. Join us for a look behind the scenes at what motivates kids to use substances at a young age including social pressure and the problem of mental health. We discu...
Dec 11, 2024•36 min•Ep. 91
Letters of recommendation are so important in college applications, especially in the more selective colleges, and today, we are delving into why they need to be prioritized, the mistakes we see kids make, who to ask for letters, and more. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about the role of letters of recommendation in college applications, the dangers of focusing on the number of letters you have over the quality of them, how it can become the determining factor for whether or not you get into a colle...
Dec 11, 2024•25 min•Ep. 90
Having a sense of purpose has been scientifically proven to increase your overall quality of life! So many college application essays are based on identity and most kids who find writing those essays easier have a sense of purpose already! Today on Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we are discussing the importance of developing a sense of purpose in teenagers. In this discussion, you’ll hear what purpose actually is, why having purpose is imperative, how you can help kids find their own, and h...
Nov 27, 2024•39 min•Ep. 89
When adolescents start dating, it can be far more intense, serious, and potentially unhealthy than parents may be aware of. Today on Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we are discussing all things teen love and relationships and sharing advice for parents who may not know how to handle it. In this conversation, we dig into why relationship talks with your teen might feel uncomfortable but are crucial to start before the need becomes urgent. We cover what to keep in mind when your child becomes ...
Nov 20, 2024•28 min•Ep. 88
So many parents and teenagers fall into the traps independent college counselors set to sell their business as a foolproof way to get into good colleges. Today on Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we are here to discuss why that simply isn’t possible! There are no guarantees when it comes to college applications and focusing on what you think colleges may want instead of placing emphasis on the individual and what is best for them is hugely problematic. In this conversation, you’ll hear all ab...
Nov 13, 2024•31 min•Ep. 87
The college application process can be brutal and anxiety-provoking for parents, teenagers, and, in particular, college counselors! In this episode, we reflect on our experiences at the end of this season and even share some advice for parents approaching applications with their teens. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about why college counselors hate November 1st, the debilitating anxiety that teens may face during this time, the different ways they deal with it, and the importance of read...
Nov 06, 2024•41 min•Ep. 86
When it comes to drinking, partying, and substance abuse, there’s a lot of stuff your teenager won’t tell you – but we will! Today, we get into all the challenges that come with teenagers and partying, what to expect as a parent, and how to start discussing these things with your kid before it’s an issue. We break down the types of limitations and rules to put in place while also making sure they feel comfortable calling you if they need help. With drinking at home, we talk about how to model he...
Oct 30, 2024•28 min•Ep. 85
Bullying is annoying and damaging, leaving a trail of suffering in its wake; and we hate that. Today, we unwrap bullying from head to toe to bring you helpful information on navigating this complicated situation (and to help you understand just how difficult it is!). We begin with our definition of bullying, how it’s been normalized throughout American culture, troubling statistics that reveal how rampant it truly is, and why we believe that bullying is inherently bad. We explore the importance ...
Oct 23, 2024•43 min•Ep. 84
Today, we’re talking about modeling, and we don’t mean striking poses on the catwalk! Whether we intend to or not, we all end up looking to our parents as role models. In this episode, we explore the vital role of parent modeling in helping teens develop essential life skills. From effective communication and stress management to embracing new challenges, demonstrating the value of hard work, showcasing healthy relationships, and more, we reveal how you can lead by example rather than nagging or...
Oct 16, 2024•32 min•Ep. 83
Amid the pile of college applications, seniors are often encouraged to attend rep visits—but what exactly is a rep visit, and why should your child take full advantage of it? In this week’s episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, Cathy and Meredith explore how you and your teen can maximize the benefits of college rep visits at their school. They break down why these visits are important, and what to do (and what to avoid) while attending, and Cathy shares one of the most commonly missed ...
Oct 09, 2024•31 min•Ep. 82
Parenting is incredibly difficult and stressful as it is, but when you add the college admissions process, that stress multiplies! So how can we help you find the best way to help your child through this process? Today on the show, we are discussing the role of parents in the college admissions process. Tuning in, you’ll hear about the danger of controlling your kids and trying to get too involved in this experience, why parents often have a dated outlook on colleges, and the importance of remin...
Oct 02, 2024•42 min•Ep. 81
