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Parenting teenagers, untangled: The award-winning podcast for parents of teens and tweens.
Parenting teenagers, untangled: The award-winning podcast f…
Winner Best Parenting Podcast and rated in the top 2% worldwideQuit the comparison, calm your nerves, and build belief in your own ability to parent well because you don't have to be an expert to be a great parent.At the heart of great parenting is the ability to be more curious; less judgemental. 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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Exam Stress: The Secret to Parents Helping Teens and Tweens Thrive
June 16, 2026

Exam Stress: The Secret to Parents Helping Teens and Tweens Thrive

Ask Rachel anything Exam stress — are your teen’s exams quietly overwhelming them (and you)? In this episode of Teenagers Untangled I spoke with Katherine Radice, author of The Parent’s Guide to Exam Stress, to explore: * Why teens withdraw and how parental questions can shut down conversations abo…

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Talking Politics with Teens: Why It's Our Job to Raise Good Citizens
June 9, 2026

Talking Politics with Teens: Why It's Our Job to Raise Good Citizens

Ask Rachel anything Who's teaching our teens how to be good citizens; someone who feels a part of society and enagages meaningfully in creating a world we all want to live in? In this episode I talked with Lindsey Cormick, political scientist and author of How to Raise a Citizen, about why we paren…

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What Makes a Good Parent? A Bonus Episode in Which I Ask My Own Teenager
June 8, 2026

What Makes a Good Parent? A Bonus Episode in Which I Ask My Own Teena…

Ask Rachel anything In this bonus episode Amelia and I discussed how hard it is to get parenting right, focusing on the misconceptions of gentle parenting and the importance of setting high expectations with support. The full listen to the full episode and read all of my thoughts on it by clicking …

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What Teens Are Trying to Tell Us: The Crisis of Connection and Masculinity
June 2, 2026

What Teens Are Trying to Tell Us: The Crisis of Connection and Mascul…

Ask Rachel anything What are we really telling boys about how to be a man? And why do so many teens seem to be struggling with how to be in the world, from masculinity to friendship, and mental health? In this conversation with Professor Niobe Way (NYU developmental psychologist, author of Deep Sec…

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The Worrying Rise of Teen Gambling — and What Parents Can Do
May 26, 2026

The Worrying Rise of Teen Gambling — and What Parents Can Do

Ask Rachel anything There's been an alarming rise of teen gambling, according to Commonsense Media, with half of 16-17-year-old boys reporting gambling in the past year; surpassing alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana use. Commonsense media says 'we're at a pivotal moment for boys' well-being. We can e…

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The Science of Raising Thriving Teens with Katy Granville-Chapman
May 19, 2026

The Science of Raising Thriving Teens with Katy Granville-Chapman

Ask Rachel anything If you’ve ever looked at your teen glued to a screen, living on junk food, or melting down over “nothing” and thought, What am I doing wrong? — this episode will change how you see everything. In today’s fast-paced, often overwhelming world, understanding how to foster resilienc…

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Prepare for the Inevitable: The Guide to Grief for Parents of Tweens and Teens
May 12, 2026

Prepare for the Inevitable: The Guide to Grief for Parents of Tweens …

Ask Rachel anything Parenting tweens and teens is challenging enough, but when someone in the family becomes seriously ill or dies, it can feel overwhelmingly difficult. In all honesty, we Westerners are terrible at talking about death, often avoiding it, so when it comes to talking with teenagers …

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The Vital Skill Parents Can Teach Teens and Tweens: Critical Thinking
May 5, 2026

The Vital Skill Parents Can Teach Teens and Tweens: Critical Thinking

Click here for my blog and summary of the key skills:https://teenagersuntangled.substack.com/p/the-antidote-to-a-world-of-algorithmsOur teenagers are growing up in a world saturated with information, outrage, and algorithms designed to keep them scrolling. As parents, it can feel overwhelming…

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Parenting in High-Conflict Homes: Protecting Your Kids When Your Partner Won’t Change
April 28, 2026

Parenting in High-Conflict Homes: Protecting Your Kids When Your Part…

Ask Rachel anything “My husband is highly critical of the teenagers, gets angry over little things and yells, so I’m having to make up for his behavior, and I often avoid involving him in parenting decisions." This message came into my Substack. It was a plaintiff request for support and a plea to …

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The Manosphere for Parents of Teens: Signs Your Son Is Being Influenced (and How to Respond)
April 21, 2026

The Manosphere for Parents of Teens: Signs Your Son Is Being Influenc…

Ask Rachel anything “Is my son secretly being taught to hate women?” If you’ve ever heard your boy casually repeat a line from Andrew Tate… seen him disappear into his room with his phone… or wondered what on earth he’s absorbing on TikTok and YouTube, this episode is for you. The manosphere is gro…

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Recent Blog Posts

Christmas: Joy or Juggernaut?
Dec. 4, 2025

Christmas: Joy or Juggernaut?

I’ve heard that the illuminated Coca Cola lorry and commercials signals the start of the Christmas countdown for many. I think it’s an apt symbol of the juggernaut that is Christmas, and I’m going to talk about how I jumped off.&nb…

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The science behind why pushing our kids doesn't help them in the long run.
Oct. 2, 2025

The science behind why pushing our kids doesn't help them in the long…

“It’s safe and it’s right to trust your kids more and worry about them less… give them all the support that you can, but treat them respectfully, like they have brains in their heads and want their lives to work out.&rdquo…

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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