“Space, Trust and the Roundabout: Michelle Mitchell on What Teens Really Need from Us”

In this insightful and deeply practical episode of Building Resilient Kids, host Tim Curtis speaks with Michelle Mitchell—parenting educator, bestselling author, and founder of the Resilient Kids Conference about what it really takes to support teenagers through one of the most complex stages of development.

Drawing on decades of experience working with young people and families, Michelle shares a refreshing perspective on resilience, connection, and the evolving role of parents. From her early days working with at-risk youth to raising her own two sons, Michelle’s message is clear: resilience is not built in isolation—it is built in relationship.

This episode challenges common parenting narratives and offers grounded, actionable insights into how we can stay connected to our kids while giving them the space they need to grow.

• Resilience is not a solo effort: Kids don’t need to have all the skills—they need to know where to find them and who to trust
• The importance of community and connection as the foundation of resilience
• Why letting kids resolve conflict themselves builds stronger social and emotional capability
• Rethinking parenting labels like “helicopter” or “bulldozer” and instead focusing on principles over trends
• What teens aren’t telling parents: they don’t hate you—they need space to become themselves
• The power of trusting your instincts as a parent rather than interrogating for every detail
• Understanding the difference between bad behaviour and cognitive overload
• Why teenagers live in a near-constant state of dysregulation—and how that shapes their reactions
• The importance of staying steady, present, and available rather than forcing conversations
• The “roundabout” analogy: teens may appear to move away, but they often come back
• Why the car is one of the most powerful environments for connection and regulation
• The “Russian doll” concept: building multiple layers of support around a child
• Reframing resilience: not bouncing back, but adapting and reshaping through adversity
• The importance of helping kids develop their own coping strategies, not just adopting ours

Michelle Mitchell is a leading Australian parenting educator, author, and speaker with over two decades of experience supporting young people and families. She began her career as a teacher before founding a youth-focused charity, working extensively with vulnerable and at-risk children. Michelle is widely known for her practical, no-nonsense approach to parenting teens and is the host of the Resilient Kids Conference, bringing together leading experts to support families navigating modern challenges.

• Michelle Mitchell – Official Website
• Resilient Kids Conference
• Teens: What They Don’t Tell Their Parents
• Youth Excel (Michelle’s original charity work)
• Book: What Teenage Girls Don’t Tell Their Parents – Michelle Mitchell

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Get in touch with Tim Curtis at kids@resilienceshield.com

https://resilienceshield.com/kids/

Molly Benjamin is on a mission to make financial literacy accessible, practical, and empowering—especially for women and now, kids. After transforming her own “hot financial mess” into a thriving movement that’s educated 70,000+ Australian women, Molly is bringing the conversation to the next generation. As a spokesperson for Spriggy, she has deep insights into how kids earn, save, spend, and give—and how parents can raise resilient, financially confident children who are ready to thrive.

Molly explains how kids form their attitudes toward money by age seven—and how adult behaviours code that mindset. She shares why normalising conversations around spending, saving, and giving early matters, especially in a cashless society.

“It’s not just what we say, it’s what we do around money. Kids are watching.”

Molly outlines her favourite financial framework for children—Spend, Save, Share—and explains how to use tools like Spriggy or Monopoly money to reinforce tangible learning about financial priorities and delayed gratification.

The FY25 Spriggy Kids Economy Report reveals that girls are earning $1.03 for every $1.00 boys earn—flipping the adult gender pay gap. What can this tell us about confidence, motivation, and resilience in young people?

From over-rewarding chores to avoiding money conversations, Molly highlights the unconscious habits that may undermine a child’s financial resilience.

“Money shouldn't be a taboo or secret. If they don’t learn it from us, they’re learning it somewhere else.”

With house prices now 8–14 times the average wage, Molly discusses how we can prepare our kids for lifelong affordability pressures—through saving, investing, and open dialogue.

“Even if you’ve never invested before, go on the journey with your child. Learn together.”

From setting savings goals to explaining superannuation and tax to teens, Molly shares strategies to raise informed, confident kids who won’t panic the first time they fail—or the first time they look at a budget.

• Financial resilience isn’t just about money—it’s about mindset.
• Teach saving before spending. Help kids delay gratification.
• Make chores part of life, not always tied to payment.
• Involve kids in financial conversations early and often.
• Model what you want to teach—especially around budgeting, insurance, super, and investing.
• Support teens to understand taxes, super, and compound interest when they get their first job.

• Ladies Finance Club
• Spriggy Kids Economy Report
• Spriggy App
• Money Smart Tools (ASIC)
• Book:Raising Money Confident Kids (Molly Benjamin, 2025)
• Tool: “Super Detective” retirement checker
• See also research: Harvard, La Trobe, Spriggy, Stoicism, and Bobo Doll Experiments

Episode Subtitle: “Emotions, TED Talks & Teddies: Louise Mansell’s Mission to Build Brave Kids”

In this episode of Building Resilient Kids, host Tim Curtis is joined by Dr Louise Mansell, a clinical psychologist and founder of Tedology. Originally from the UK and now based in Perth, Louise brings a wealth of experience working with vulnerable children in care systems and mainstream settings.

Louise shares insights into her personal upbringing, how her mother’s anxiety shaped her sense of responsibility and empathy, and what inspired her journey into psychology. She discusses the need for a whole-system approach to child development, the importance of working with schools and families, and how trauma-informed, compassionate care can change the course of a young life.

The heart of the episode is Louise’s innovative creation: TED (Teddy for Emotional Development) – a science-based, sensory teddy bear that helps children regulate emotions, build resilience, and develop emotional literacy through play. From weighted limbs and textured paws to guided voice prompts based on proven psychological tools like CBT and DDP, TED is a cuddly co-regulator for kids.

Louise reflects on parenting, teaching, and the daily challenge of applying psychology at home, candidly admitting her own occasional “screen bans” as a mother. Her honesty and evidence-based practice make this a must-listen for educators, parents, and anyone committed to raising emotionally resilient kids.

Highlights

• Louise’s early family life and how helping her mum manage anxiety set the foundations for her career
• Her work in the UK’s social enterprise sector, supporting children in the care system
• The biopsychosocial ecological model simplified for everyday parenting and teaching
• The development of TED: a sensory, talking teddy designed to build emotional skills and resilience
• Why kids need to feel seen, heard, and held in mind—and how a teddy bear can help
• Practical strategies for teachers to emotionally coach children without needing all the answers
• The power of emotional literacy and expression as central to long-term resilience
• The science behind TED’s features (fidget-friendly paws, crinkle ears, soothing voice prompts)
• Louise’s commitment to play-based learning and co-design with children
• Honest parenting moments: “If I shout about screen bans, it doesn’t count.”

Learn More

• Dr Louise Mansell's work: https://www.minimindshealth.com.au/louise-mansell
• Tedology (TED - Teddy for Emotional Development): https://tedology.com.au
• The ACEs Study (Adverse Childhood Experiences) – CDC Resource
• Tina Payne Bryson’s "Whole Brain Child" approach (Refer to books by Siegel & Bryson)
• Theraplay & DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy) – therapeutic models that Louise references as cornerstones in her clinical approach. https://ddpnetwork.org

Quote of the Episode

“Resilience isn’t about just coping. It’s about being brave enough to express yourself—and knowing someone will listen.” – Dr Louise Mansell