Think your teen is using weed because of peer pressure? Think again. In this powerful episode, Dr. Cam sits down with Dr. Jessica Willoughby and Dr. Stacey Hust from the WSU Media Adolescent Cannabis (MAC) Lab to unpack the real reasons behind rising teen cannabis use—and what parents can actually do about it.

Backed by groundbreaking research, this episode explores how savvy marketing, social media influence, and misleading packaging—not just peer dynamics—are shaping teen decisions. If you've ever felt unsure about how to talk to your teen about weed, you're not alone. This episode gives you the insights, tools, and language to have real, meaningful conversations without losing the connection.

• Why peer pressure is notthe main reason teens are using weed today
• How marketing, packaging, and perceived norms shape your teen’s choices
• What THC-labeled gummies and “natural” branding are really doing to teen perception
• Harm reduction strategies that actually work when prevention isn’t enough

If this episode gave you clarity, confidence, or just made you feel a little more understood, hit that ⭐️ and leave a review! Your feedback helps more parents find support and lets me keep delivering real-talk episodes that make a difference.

🔔 Make sure to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode.

• WSU MAC Lab
• SAMHSA National Helpline
• NIDA—Cannabis
• CDC—Cannabis and Teens
• Teens, Sex and Media Effects: Understanding Media's Influence on Adolescent Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Advocacy

Dr. Stacey Hust Email: sjhust@wsu.edu LinkedIn: Stacey Hust BlueSky: staceyhust@bsky.social

Dr. Jessica Willoughby Email: jessica.willoughby@wsu.edu LinkedIn: Jessica Fitts Willoughby BlueSky: @jwilloughby.bsky.social

Website: AskDrCam.com

Instagram: @DrCamCaswell

TikTok: @the.teen.translator

YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

Facebook: @DrCamCaswell

00:00 Understanding Teen Cannabis Use 03:06 The Impact of Cannabis on the Adolescent Brain 07:30 Navigating Conversations with Teens 12:15 Harm Reduction Strategies for Parents 19:53 The Role of Marketing in Teen Cannabis Use 25:17 Addressing the Challenges of Edibles 30:29 Ethical Dilemmas in Parenting and Cannabis 32:28 Starting Early: Conversations About Cannabis

Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is your go-to podcast for real-world parenting strategies backed by psychology, neuroscience, and a whole lot of empathy. Hosted by adolescent psychologist Dr. Cam Caswell, each episode delivers practical tips and honest conversations that help you better understand your teen—and yourself. Whether you're facing eye rolls or emotional breakdowns, this show is here to help you parent smarter, not harder.

#theteentranslator #teenweeduse #parentingteenswithdrcam

If setting boundaries with your teen feels like trying to nail Jell-O to a wall—you’re not alone. In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, I sit down with Matilda Gosling, social scientist and author of Teenagers: The Evidence Base, to break down the science behind boundary-setting that actually works. No more power struggles. No more guessing games. Just real, research-backed strategies to help you protect your teen and prepare them for the real world.

Matilda brings both the data and the empathy, helping parents understand where to draw the line, when to back off, and how to keep the relationship strong while doing it. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I being too strict? Too lenient?”—this episode is your answer.

• Why boundaries help teens feel safe, not smothered
• How to focus on the rules that really matter (and ditch the ones that don’t)
• The difference between control and influence—and why one actually works
• How to set your own boundaries without feeling guilty or selfish

1. Prioritize the big stuff: Health, safety, and emotional well-being come first. Let go of the small battles.
2. Your boundaries matter too: You’re allowed to have limits—and your teen needs to see them.
3. Respect their privacy: Snooping leads to secrets. Trust builds openness.
4. Explain, don’t dictate: When teens understand the why, they’re more likely to follow through.
5. Mistakes are part of the process: Boundaries aren’t about perfection—they’re about growth.

🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! Thanks so much for your support! 🙏💫

🔔 Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! 🙌

• Matilda Gosling's Substack (Sign up to get a free PDF Q&A on teen mental health!)
• Book: Teenagers: The Evidence Base by Matilda Gosling
• Book: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

• Website: matildagosling.substack.com
• Instagram: @matilda.gosling
• LinkedIn: Matilda Gosling
• X/Twitter: @matildagosling

• Website: AskDrCam.com
• Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
• TikTok: @the.teen.translator
• YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam
• Facebook: @DrCamCaswell

00:00 Understanding Teen Boundaries 02:59 The Importance of Independence 05:48 Defining Boundaries vs. Rules 09:04 Negotiating Boundaries with Teens 12:02 Common Mistakes Parents Make 15:02 The Role of Safetyism 18:08 Respecting Teen Privacy 20:56 Identifying Important Boundaries 23:46 Setting Parental Boundaries 27:06 The Importance of Modeling Behavior 29:57 Navigating Emotional Responses 32:49 Final Thoughts on Boundaries

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

#theteentranslator #parentingteenswithdrcam #teenboundaries #parentingteens

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Dr. Cam sits down with three courageous moms—Heather, Lara, and Maria—who open up about the emotional rollercoaster of raising teens through tough issues like self-harm, emotional regulation struggles, vaping, and academic burnout. These women, all members of Dr. Cam’s Inner Circle, share what it was like before they found support, and how everything changed when they stopped trying to control their teens and started learning how to truly connect. If you’re feeling frustrated, scared, or unsure how to help your teen without pushing them away, this episode offers real hope and practical guidance from parents who’ve been there.

• How to reconnect with your teen when communication has broken down
• Why letting go of control can strengthen your relationship with your teenager
• The impact of emotional regulation challenges on teen behavior—and how to respond
• What a supportive parenting community can do for your confidence and peace of mind

1. Letting go of control builds trust and makes space for connection with your teen
2. Choosing one parenting value helps guide consistent, intentional responses
3. Allowing natural consequences helps teens learn from experience without constant lecturing
4. Empathetic listening without jumping in to fix builds emotional safety
5. Having a parenting support group offers relief, encouragement, and real-life strategies

Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! Thanks so much for your support! 🙏💫

🔔 Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! 🙌

Dr. Cam's Inner Circle - A weekly support group for parents of teenagers where they can share challenges, learn strategies, and receive guidance from Dr. Cam and other parents. Join us at: https://www.askdrcam.com/innercircle

Website: AskDrCam.com

Instagram: @DrCamCaswell

TikTok: @the.teen.translator

YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

Facebook: @DrCamCaswell

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together. #theteentranslator #drcam #parentingteensupport #reconnectwithyourteen

Worried about the impact your teen’s friends are having on them? You’re not alone—and it’s not as simple as “good” or “bad” peer pressure. In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, I sit down with peer influence expert Dr. Brett Laursen to unpack how friendships actually shape teen behavior (often for the better!) and how parents can stay influential without being controlling. Dr. Laursen, who has decades of research tracking teen friendships across multiple countries, shares surprising insights that can help you guide your teen through the tricky world of social dynamics, middle school transitions, and online influence. If you’ve ever wondered, "Am I losing my teen to their friends?" — this conversation is a must-listen.

• Why peer pressure isn't always a bad thing and can actually drive positive behavior in teens
• How to stay relevant as a parent even when friends seem to have more influence
• What to do (and NOT do) if you're worried about your teen's friends
• How online and real-world friendships impact vulnerable teens differently

1. Friendship first, influence second: Teens choose friends who are similar to them, not the other way around.
2. Middle school changes everything: The shift from adult-centered to peer-centered social life demands a new parenting approach.
3. Stay connected, don't compete: Your teen needs a supportive parent, not a rival for attention.
4. Opportunities, not ultimatums: Help your teen find better friendships by fostering their interests, not forcing social changes.
5. Humanize yourself: Teens respect advice more when they see you as a real person, not just an authority figure.

Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! Thanks so much for your support! 🙏💫

🔔 Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! 🙌

• Website: https://www.fau.edu/science/psychology/laursen-lab/
• Email: laursen@fau.edu

• Website: AskDrCam.com
• Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
• YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam
• Facebook: @DrCamCaswell

00:00 Understanding Peer Pressure in Teens 03:01 The Dual Nature of Peer Influence 05:46 Navigating Friendships: The Parent's Dilemma 08:53 The Shift to Peer-Driven Social Structures 12:12 The Importance of Positive Relationships 15:10 Managing Friendships: When to Intervene 18:12 Supporting Kids Who Struggle to Make Friends 21:08 The Role of Online Influences 23:54 Building Trust and Communication with Teens 27:01 Humanizing Parental Relationships 29:55 Final Thoughts on Peer Influence and Parenting

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #teenpeerpressure #parentingteenfriendships