In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron unpack the myths and realities around teens and marijuana . With cannabis now legal in many states, parents are left wondering what’s normal experimentation, what’s risky, and how to talk about it without shutting their teen down. Together, they explore: How marijuana affects the developing teen brain Why legalization and changing norms can give teens mixed messages The difference between occasional use and p...
Aug 20, 2025•35 min•Ep. 16
Should you track your teen’s location? From apps like Life360 to Find My iPhone, GPS tracking can offer parents peace of mind — but it can also raise big questions about trust, privacy, and independence. In this thoughtful conversation, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen explore the pros and cons of location tracking for teens and tweens. You’ll hear: What parents gain (and lose) when tracking their teen’s whereabouts How tracking can affect a teen’s sense of autonomy, trust, and responsib...
Aug 13, 2025•27 min•Ep. 15
The Power of Apologizing: How Genuine Apologies Strengthen Your Relationship with Your Teen In this new episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast , Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen explore the vital role of apologies in parenting—why saying “I'm sorry” can be a powerful tool for building trust, respect, and emotional health with your teens. They discuss common barriers that prevent parents from apologizing effectively, and share practical strategies to overcome these “apology traps” to foste...
Aug 06, 2025•22 min•Ep. 14
In this engaging episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron explore common thinking traps—those unhelpful patterns of thought that can cloud our judgment, increase stress, and hinder positive interactions with our teens. They discuss how becoming aware of these traps and learning to shift our thinking can lead to more balanced, calm, and effective parenting. Join us as we delve into: What thinking traps are, including the ‘shoulds,’ mental filters, and jumpin...
Jul 30, 2025•26 min•Ep. 13
In this insightful episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron explore the concept of vulnerability factors—those circumstances and experiences that influence how we and our teens respond to stress, frustration, and everyday challenges. They discuss how recognizing and managing these factors can help reduce emotional reactivity, foster patience, and improve parent-teen interactions. Join us as we delve into: What vulnerability factors are, from chronic issues ...
Jul 23, 2025•26 min•Ep. 12
Episode 11: Should I Push My Anxious Teen… or Let It Go and Pull Back? What should parents do when a teen says, "I can't do it" — whether it's going to school, trying out for a team, or facing a social situation? In this episode, child and adolescent clinical psychologists, Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron, dive deep into this common parenting dilemma: Should you push your teen to do hard things—or back off? This insightful episode explores how to support adolescents facing anxiety, avoi...
Jul 16, 2025•21 min•Ep. 11
5 Mindset Shifts to Worry Less About Other Parents’ Judgments Do you ever find yourself second-guessing your parenting decisions… not because they feel wrong, but because you’re worried what other parents might think? Yeah — us too. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast , Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron dive into five powerful mindset shifts to help you stop spiraling and start parenting from a place of confidence, clarity, and calm. You’ll learn: ✔️ How to connect with your bes...
Jul 09, 2025•19 min•Ep. 10
In this engaging episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast , Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron explore the many benefits and challenges of youth sports. They discuss how sports can boost confidence, teach important life skills like resilience, teamwork, and serve as a supportive environment outside of school. Join us as we cover: The value of sports for fun, social connection, and emotional growth How sports help develop self-efficacy and critical thinking in children and teens Practical ways...
Jul 02, 2025•27 min•Ep. 9
In this insightful episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron delve into the rapidly evolving world of online gambling and sports betting and what parents need to know. Instead of a listener question, they share vivid stories and expert insights—like the rise of sports betting apps and the subtle ways gambling infiltrates teen life—to help caregivers better understand how these behaviors develop and impact young people. Join us as we discuss: How recent legal...
Jun 25, 2025•26 min•Ep. 8
In this enlightening episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast , Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron explore creative metaphors to help parents and caregivers better understand ADHD. They share powerful visual stories—like the "race car brain" created by Ned Hallowell and a "sailboat in the storm"—to illustrate how ADHD affects motivation, attention, and executive functioning. Join us as we discuss: How the "race car brain" analogy explains the speed and impulsivity often seen in children with ...
Jun 18, 2025•19 min•Ep. 7
In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast , Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron dive into the complex world of parenting children and teens with ADHD. They explore common parent feelings—from exhaustion and frustration to dark thoughts—and emphasize the importance of self-compassion and understanding. Join us as we discuss: How ADHD symptoms can look different during puberty and adolescence, especially in girls. The difference between knowing what to do and being able to do it, with rel...
Jun 11, 2025•31 min•Ep. 6
Navigating Hard Conversations: Talking to Teens About Family Illnesses Teenagers are incredible observers — even when we think they’re not noticing, they probably are. In this heartfelt episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast , we explore the importance of honest, relationship-building conversations when a parent or family member faces a significant medical illness. Join us as we discuss: 💬 Why being transparent with teens about health issues can foster trust and connection 🤔 How to approach tou...
Jun 04, 2025•26 min•Ep. 5
In this essential episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast , Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen tackle one of the most difficult—and important—questions parents ask: What should I do if my teen talks about suicide? Drawing on clinical expertise, they break down: Why talking about suicide doesn’t increase risk—and how it can actually be protective. Common signs that a teen may be struggling, even if they don’t say the word “suicide”. What to say in the moment if you are concerned or your teen ...
May 30, 2025•24 min•Ep. 4
In this insightful and down-to-earth episode, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen tackle a question that resonates with many parents of tweens and teens: "Why should I give my teenager more freedom and autonomy when they don’t seem responsible yet?" Through relatable stories, real-life examples, and evidence-based psychology, Annalise and Suzanne explore the tension between a teen's need for independence and a parent's instinct to protect and control. They offer a compelling breakdown of be...
May 28, 2025•28 min•Ep. 3
Teens make mistakes. Adults do too! But why do these slip-ups hit us parents so hard? In this episode, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen unpack the root causes of teenage missteps—and the often emotional responses parents have in return. With clinical wisdom and a hilarious personal story involving used cigarette butts, they help us reframe these moments not as crises, but as crucial parts of development. You’ll learn: Why your teen’s risky or confusing behavior is often developmentally n...
May 22, 2025•27 min•Ep. 2
In this inaugural episode, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen—both child and adolescent clinical psychologists—take a fresh look at adolescence. They challenge the cultural narrative that the teen years are inherently difficult and reframe it through a compassionate, developmentally informed lens. With personal anecdotes, clinical wisdom, and a touch of humor, the hosts set the tone for what’s to come: practical, science-backed parenting insights for raising tweens and teens. In this episo...
May 20, 2025•19 min•Ep. 1
