Parenting teens today isn’t just challenging—it’s a completely different landscape than what we grew up in. In this episode, Colette explores what it really looks like to raise teenagers in a world shaped by social media, constant comparison, and higher stakes than ever before alongside parenting expert Keesha Scott. From body image struggles to the pressure of being “always on,” this conversation reveals why today’s teens are navigating an intensity many of us never experienced.

Colette and Keesha also dig into what it takes to parent effectively in this climate—letting go of one-size-fits-all approaches, meeting your child where they are, and knowing when to bring in outside support. It’s an honest, eye-opening conversation filled with practical insight and a powerful reminder that even the most challenging teens can grow into strong, resilient adults.

Episode Highlights

[00:03] - Introducing the episode and why parenting teens can feel harder than ever

[01:23] - Keesha’s story and how her teenage years shaped her path

[06:41] - The modern teen experience: social media, body image, nonstop pressure

[10:02] - Why teens today never fully “escape” stress like past generations

[12:15] - Substance use today vs. the past—and why parents must stay alert

[13:09] - Warning signs a teen may be struggling beyond typical behavior

[14:13] - Why outsourcing support can be a game-changer for families

[17:15] - Fear-based parenting and how it creates distance, not connection

[21:47] - The myth of the “perfect” parenting style—and why flexibility matters

[24:41] - Giving teens freedom with boundaries—and letting them earn trust

[27:35] - Strong-willed vs. compliant kids: completely different approaches

[28:18] - Growing challenges for teen boys: isolation and digital addiction

[30:25] - Collaboration over control: how to better connect with your teen

[31:36] - Speaking your teen’s language to build trust and understanding

[32:41] - Reframing “difficult” teens as confident, resilient adults

Links & Resources

· Website: https://www.keeshascott.com

· Instagram:

Ever stayed quiet to keep the peace and felt yourself disappear? The Cost of Quiet is for anyone who avoids conflict and pays the price. Reclaim your voice, strengthen your relationships, and experience real peace. Order your copy and join the movement: https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book

🎙️ Love the podcast? Come talk about episodes with us inside The Midlife Chat. It’s a free, private community just for women at midlife who want to keep these conversations going. We’ve created this space for real talk, fresh resources, and honest connection—where you can share ideas and resources, ask questions, and get support from women navigating the same season. Come join us—we’d love to have you!

👉 Join The Midlife Chat here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/795863256460970/

Order The Cost of Quiet now! Colette’s new book, The Cost of Quiet: How to Have the Hard Conversations that Create Secure, Lasting Love, launched February 3rd. Order your copy today: https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book

Recognized by FeedSpot:
Top 60 Couples Therapy Podcasts | Top 100 U.S. Mental Health Podcasts | Top 100 Relaxation Podcasts

Health anxiety is one of those things that can quietly take over your mind—and before you know it, you’re stuck in a loop of symptoms, spiraling thoughts, and constant checking. We’re unpacking what this actually looks like in real life, from those sudden “something’s wrong with me” moments to the deeper patterns that keep the cycle going.

We also get into the why behind it all—the underlying fears, life stressors, and emotional experiences that can trigger health anxiety in the first place. Along the way, we talk about what actually helps, how to break out of the loop, and how to find your way back to feeling grounded in your body and your life.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] - Welcome back + introducing health anxiety

[1:00] - Laura shares her personal experience with health anxiety

[2:30] - What health anxiety is (and what it’s not)

[3:45] - Health anxiety vs. hypochondriasis

[6:30] - How physical symptoms turn into obsessive focus

[9:30] - The reassurance trap: doctors, Google, and ChatGPT

[11:15] - The feedback loop between anxiety and body sensations

[15:45] - The deeper roots: core fears, grief, and life stressors

[18:00] - Why reassurance-seeking keeps the cycle going

[20:45] - Intuition vs. anxiety—how to tell the difference

[24:30] - Avoidance, fixation, and how anxiety pulls us out of life

[25:30] - The role of boredom and ADHD in anxiety patterns

[28:00] - Why health anxiety connects to existential fear

[29:15] - What actually helps: breaking cycles and shifting focus

[31:00] - Engagement and healthy distraction as a way out

[32:00] - Normalizing health anxiety and learning to navigate it

If you saw yourself in any part of this conversation, you’re not alone—this is such a human experience, even when it feels overwhelming. Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and be gentle with yourself as you navigate it.

And if this episode supported you in any way, don’t forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review—it means so much to us and helps others find their way to these conversations.

Ever stayed quiet to keep the peace and felt yourself disappear? The Cost of Quiet is for anyone who avoids conflict and pays the price. Reclaim your voice, strengthen your relationships, and experience real peace. Order your copy and join the movement: https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book

🎙️ Love the podcast? Come talk about episodes with us inside The Midlife Chat. It’s a free, private community just for women at midlife who want to keep these conversations going. We’ve created this space for real talk, fresh resources, and honest connection—where you can share ideas and resources, ask questions, and get support from women navigating the same season. Come join us—we’d love to have you!

👉 Join The Midlife Chat here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/795863256460970/

Order The Cost of Quiet now! Colette’s new book, The Cost of Quiet: How to Have the Hard Conversations that Create Secure, Lasting Love, launched February 3rd. Order your copy today: https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book

In this episode, we sit down with writer, producer, and longtime friend Maylen Dominguez to talk about what it really looks like to pursue creativity in midlife. From leaving a stable career to producing her independent film Ethan Bloom, Maylen shares what it means to listen to that inner creative voice—even when the path forward feels uncertain.

Together, we explore the messy middle of reinvention, the courage it takes to follow a creative calling, and how small daily commitments can lead to extraordinary outcomes. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to pursue something meaningful or creative, this conversation is the reminder you didn’t know you needed. Press play and join us as we talk about fear, commitment, creativity, and trusting the process.

Episode Highlights

[00:39] – We introduce our guest, Maylen Dominguez, and her impressive journey as a writer, producer, and educator.

[03:32] – Maylen opens up about being in the “messy middle” of a career transition and choosing to fully commit to her creative work.

[07:38] – The simple habit that changed everything: writing three screenplay pages a day and how small commitments create big results.

[10:31] – Why “done is better than perfect” and how letting the work be messy helped move the creative process forward.

[18:40] – Maylen shares how she’s embracing uncertainty, writing a novel, and learning to trust the natural seasons of life and creativity.

[28:55] – The behind-the-scenes journey of turning a screenplay into an independent film—and how the right creative partnership made it possible.

[32:32] – The power of commitment: pushing through obstacles, raising funds, and refusing to give up on bringing the film to life.

[37:14] – Why it’s never too late to create, pivot, or pursue something meaningful—and the importance of supporting independent film.

Links & Resources

• Maylen Dominguez: https://instagram.com/maylendo
• Follow Ethan Bloom: https://instagram.com/ethanbloom

Ethan Bloom will be at the Enzian Theater on March 25th (now sold out!). Maylen Dominguez and the film’s director, Herschel Faber, will return for another screening on April 6th, and the film will begin playing at Regal Winter Park Village on April 17th.

• Enzian Theater tickets: https://enzian.org/film/ethan-bloom
• Future Screenings: https://w

Ever stayed quiet to keep the peace and felt yourself disappear? The Cost of Quiet is for anyone who avoids conflict and pays the price. Reclaim your voice, strengthen your relationships, and experience real peace. Order your copy and join the movement: https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book

🎙️ Love the podcast? Come talk about episodes with us inside The Midlife Chat. It’s a free, private community just for women at midlife who want to keep these conversations going. We’ve created this space for real talk, fresh resources, and honest connection—where you can share ideas and resources, ask questions, and get support from women navigating the same season. Come join us—we’d love to have you!

👉 Join The Midlife Chat here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/795863256460970/

Order The Cost of Quiet now! Colette’s new book, The Cost of Quiet: How to Have the Hard Conversations that Create Secure, Lasting Love, launched February 3rd. Order your copy today: https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book