Why do teenagers love taking risks — and is it always a bad thing?

In this episode of Teen Talk: Navigating Teen Challenging Behaviour, I talked about what’s really happening inside the teenage brain and why risky behaviour is a natural part of growing up.

If you’re dealing with difficult teens, wondering how to handle teenage defiance, or trying to rebuild connection after constant conflict, this episode is for you.

You’ll learn:

• Why the teenage brain craves excitement and novelty.

• How to tell the difference between healthy exploration and risky desperation.

• Why controlling your teen often backfires — and what to do instead.

Because parenting teenagers isn’t about removing risk — it’s about helping them grow through it.

🎧 Listen now and discover how curiosity, not control, helps families thrive.

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If today’s episode spoke to you, and you’re ready to bring calm and connection back into your home, I’d love to help.

At Rainbow Parenting Practice, I work with parents and families who feel stuck in patterns of conflict, shutdown, or chaos.

Through my Thriving Together Parenting Method, we uncover what’s really happening beneath the behaviour — so you can rebuild trust, understanding, and harmony at home.

You can learn more about how we can work together here.

Because no matter how difficult things feel right now, change is possible — and it starts with one conversation.

“Teen Sexual Health, Porn & The Conversation No One Wants to Have”

In this episode, Anna and I dive into the story that shocked so many parents and the public — a father (Ore Oduba) admitting he’d been addicted to porn since he was nine years old… and speaking up now so that he can speak to his own children about this.

We explore the questions every parent quietly wonders:

• How young is “too young” for exposure — and is it already happening?
• How do you know the difference between curiosity and addiction?
• Why do teenagers hide this — even from the parents they trust?
• Who can they talk to if they’re scared, confused, or ashamed?
• And what actually helps, without shaming or shutting them down?

A short, honest, essential conversation for any parent raising teens in the digital age.

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My name is Pei-I Yang, a family and systemic psychotherapist and parenting specialist focusing on troubled teen behaviour, trained in 4 professional disciplines (child development, psychology, psychoanalytic thinking and family and systemic psychotherapy), and the founder of Rainbow Parenting Practice.

I’ve been a Parenting Expert Guest on UK National television, reputable podcasts, organisation talks and social media. I also regularly share my expert insights with journalists and media outlets. Most recently, my writing was featured in DWC Magazine, a digital publication with a global reach of 49 million women across 30 countries.

Here's where you find how you can work with me.

Ever feel like no matter what you say, your teen just shuts you out? You try to guide them, protect them, connect with them—but all you get in return is eye rolls, attitude, or complete silence.

Why does this happen? And more importantly—how do you break through the wall and get them to actually hear you?

In this episode, we go deep into:
🔹 The REAL reason your teen ignores you (hint: it’s not what you think).
🔹 Why lectures, punishments, and ‘talking it out’ aren’t working—and what to do instead.
🔹 How to rebuild trust, even if your relationship feels completely disconnected.

🚨 If you’re tired of feeling unheard, the Parent-Teen Reset is where we start fixing this.

📌 Get instant access to the Parent-Teen Reset here

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Want a more structured breakdown of how to actually rebuild trust and communication with your teen?
I’ve written a full blog post walking you through my systemic approach step-by-step.

You can find it here