Teenagers Untangled has been picked by The Times UK as one of the top podcasts for parents
Parenting teenagers, untangled: The award-winning podcast for parents of teens and tweens.
Parenting teenagers, untangled: The award-winning podcast f…
Best Self-Improvement podcast - Independent Podcast Awards You don't have to be an expert to be a great parent, so we're on a mission to give you the self-belief, knowledge, and skills to do your best. At the heart of that is the need to be more curious; less judgemental. One of the hardest things about parenting teenagers is that we're often not prepared for the problems we have to tackle, which is why we welcome any questions you have about problems you face. Rachel uses her journalism skills to dig for answers, looking at what a broad range of experts are saying about them. Susie then brings her wealth of expertise and experience in mindfulness to the discussion as we talk through the options for parenting in an imperfect world, offering tips on the things we've learned along the way. What the Award judges said: 'The advice within the podcast on how to deal with what life throws at you is universally helpful, not just for those with teenagers.' 'A good mix of personal stories alongside professional insight; it's addressing something different, and helps its audience with the references and extra information provided in episode notes.' 'The rapport between the hosts, Rachel and Susie, is great with a good mix of them chatting, but also providing context for the listener and remembering them within the conversation.' For more discussion and tips, you can find us on Facebook and Instagram. Find courses with Susie at https://www.amindful-life.co.uk/
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Reviews

I had to stop unpacking my shopping when the episode finished to email you to tell you how wonderful it was!

"Dear Rachel, I have just listened to your episode of Teenagers Untangled no 139 on starting secondary school, featuring your two daughters. I had to stop unpacking my shopping when the episod…"

Juliette | May 15, 2025

Life changing

"Ever since I came across your podcast I have been listening, taking notes, rewinding, pausing and sharing with friends! After listening to about 3 episodes a day to catch up, I have made some minor…"

Halle | April 11, 2025

You have saved my relationship with my 14 year old daughter and nearly 12 year old son on numerous occasions.

"My son is now doing really well in all areas and has not bothered to return to the internet - social media or gaming, but instead fills his spare time with sport, outdoor activity, catching up with f…"

Bernie via email | Sept. 4, 2023

You have changed our world and you will never really know how indebted we are to you.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you.....my wife and I just wish we had discovered your pod casts a year ago! We have both listened, absorbed and changed the way we parent off the back of such amazing ins…"

Paul Simmonds Instagram | July 5, 2023

May have saved my relationship with my tween..

"I found this podcast at just the right time in the early stages of tween/girl mom dysfunction. It gave me the perspective change I needed… she’s right where she’s supposed to be! Thank you."

Mmonty3 | Feb. 20, 2024

It’s all just a little less daunting now with you guys in my corner

"I was so lucky to come across your podcast last Summer whilst trying to navigate guidance to help with my now 17yr old son who has ADHD. I have since then backtracked and listened to EVERY single ep…"

Tammy | March 24, 2024

I just didn’t want to stop listening to you!!!!

"Hello there lovely sounding ladies!! I stumbled on your podcast just last weekend, down at the bottom of New Zealand, while out walking , -in tears, having just had the worst week or so with my a…"

Becky from Queenstown | May 10, 2024

Your values episode was wonderful!

"Dearest Rachel, I loved your episode and was so moved by how you went into each issue and so sensitively unpicked the problems and helped me make sense of them. You are amazing and I cannot thank …"

Anonymous listener | June 26, 2024

Avid listener

"I am an avid listener of your podcast. I am so glad I stumbled across this when my eldest daughter went to Secondary School as the teenage years seemed so overwhelming as they push for more and more …"

Michelle | Sept. 17, 2024

I’m listening to each episode at least 3-4 times.

"Woww. I'm actually taking notes and writing down stuff so I can remember to use them with my own son. The part where you apologize for giving them too much freedom when they obviously were not ready …"

DhariniDiva on Spotify | Sept. 20, 2024

Thank you for being there

"I just wanted to say a massive thank you for being there for parents of teenagers every week. Not only do I look forward to each episode but also have listened to many of the shows more that a ha…"

Kate on Instagram | Dec. 10, 2024

You have managed to completely change my mindset.

"I love listening to your podcasts on my way home from work. You have managed to completely change my mindset from dreading the teenage years ahead of me, to actually seeing them as something to embr…"

Clare via email | Jan. 6, 2025

Everything to do with "being connected" helps at every stage

"I really love your podcast and have recommended it at least 10 times to fellow parents. It has given me understanding, patience, tools, calmness. I feel much better equipped and my relationship with …"

Katy via email | Jan. 30, 2025

Recent

June 10, 2025

146: How to Support Your Teen Starting University: Emotional + Practi…

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? Long term listener, Cathy, has asked us some very heartfelt and important questions about how to support her teen at university. It's an excellent topic for us to tackle since Susie currently has one at university, I …

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June 7, 2025

Motherhood burnout:

We've given women the right to work, but in many cases we haven't lightened any of their other burdens, according to @gisellegoodwinwrites This is why she says femininism hasn't gone too far, it hasn't gone far enough. It is has taken away many of the constraints of 100 years ago, but there is no…

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June 3, 2025

145: How to stop a downward spiral before it happens with Dr Greg Wal…

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? Wouldn't it be great if we knew when and how we parents and teachers can make a massive long-term difference by doing something relatively small? What if we could catch those moments that might set off either an upwar…

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May 27, 2025

144: First love, breakups & LGBTQ. How to support our kids through th…

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? First love can be immensely powerful; a profound and unforgetable journey that shapes who we are. It teaches us about intimacy, boundaries and heartbreak and as parents it challenges all of our skills and perceptions.…

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May 25, 2025

Exam studying top tips #parenthack #parentingadvice

GCSE’s and A levels are underway. I know it’s a slog, and can feel both stressful and tedious, but my daughter says she’s still noticing growth in her knowledge and understanding, so that extra work feels worth it. If you want tips on how best to support your teen please listen to my discussio…

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May 20, 2025

143: Underage sex, loneliness, puberty and finding hobbies. Support f…

In this episode I asked Susie to come in and help me tackle some listener questions: QUESTION: After a recent chat with my 13 year old daughter, I'm extremely concerned that she thinks she is ready to have sex with her boyfriend. He's 14, and they have been going out together for a few months. Gosh…

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May 16, 2025

Why is my teenger being so horrible to me when they're so nice to eve…

Do you remember when your kids were little and they’d play some form of ‘it’. The only way they could be safe was if they managed to make it to ‘home’ before being tagged. The home would be a lampost or a tree or, when …

Read the Blog Post
May 13, 2025

142: Why school exam systems need to change and how to support our ow…

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? The intense, content-heavy exam system in the UK kicks off at this time of year with GCSEs and A levels; high-stakes exams that can feel like a make-or-break moment for teenagers. I've already discussed with Susie how…

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May 6, 2025

141: Success: What really shapes who we become and are parents that i…

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? What really shapes success — nature, nurture, luck? It's a perennial question. The Family Dynamic is a brilliant, captivating exploration of families in which all of the children became high-achievers. The award-winni…

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April 29, 2025

140: Respect, artifical intelligence and toxic femininity - the teena…

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? When I asked listeners for their questions one stood out as a worthy of almost an entire episode: 'What does it take to respect people around you, especially your parents?' There's so much that could be said on this t…

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Recent Blog Posts

May 16, 2025

Why is my teenger being so horrible to me when they're so nice to eve…

Do you remember when your kids were little and they’d play some form of ‘it’. The only way they could be safe was if they managed to make it to ‘home’ before being tagged. The home would be a lampost or a tree or, when …

Read the Blog Post
April 15, 2025

Navigating the identity maze:

A parent's guide to teen self-discovery In the years since I started my podcast, and watched closely as my bonus daughters and teens developed, I've learned that identity formation is perhaps the most complex and critical journey of adolescence. It…

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April 7, 2025

Should I get my kid to watch the Netflix series Adolescence?

Welcome to our disorienting parenting world. Here's my clutch of question prompts for parents. A few days ago the mother of a 10 year old asked, ‘Should I get my son to watch the show? I’m not quite sure.’ There was an immed…

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About the Hosts

Rachel Richards Profile Photo

Rachel Richards

Host

I've worked as a BBC Correspondent, a World News Anchor for CNBC Europe and a Parenting Supercoach for Parent Gym, supporting parents in the most deprived boroughs of London.

I'm the mother of two bonus-daughters, now in their twenties, two teenagers, and married to the most amazing, but messy, man. I live in a Tudor house in the UK countryside, walk my two cockapoos daily and read voraciously.

My main purpose in making this podcast is my desire to break negative family cycles so I can understand and parent my own teens better.

I'm a lover of yoga, jogging, hiking, skiing, flying, reading, music, and all types of adventurous travel.

Originally born in Zambia, I'd lived in six different countries by the age of ten and thank my lucky stars to have settled in the UK.

Most of all I am loving the opportunity to give back for all the good fortune I've had in my life.

Susie Asli Profile Photo

Susie Asli

Co-host

https://www.amindful-life.co.uk
Susie started practising mindfulness over a decade ago, after a particularly stressful time in her life. It was so effective that she decided to train in Mindfulness with the NHS and the Mindfulness in Schools project to become a Paws b and dot b practitioner, which enables her to teach mindfulness both to primary and secondary school children.

Susie teaches adult groups, 1:1s, families, in schools (children & teachers) and students (at the Guildhall College of Music & Drama).

She's also a qualified psychotherapist (from the Psychotherapeutic Institute in Copenhagen) and a trained musician (working and playing as a freelance viola player and chamber musician, as well as teaching children and adults).

Susie is mum to three children whom she has parented alone for 12 years