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Parenting Teenagers Untangled for Fearless Parents: Fear less, wonder more
Parenting Teenagers Untangled for Fearless Parents: Fear le…
Winner Best Parenting Podcast and rated in the top 2% worldwide Teenagers Untangled is the award-winning world top 2% podcast for parents of tweens and teens Most parenting advice tells you what to do; I help you see things differently. Mantra: Fear Less Wonder More I’m Rachel Richards, a former BBC correspondent, CNBC Europe World News Anchor, parenting coach, mum of four, and host of the Teenagers Untangled podcast. Every week, I interview world-leading experts, dig into the latest research, and challenge the assumptions that leave so many parents feeling anxious, guilty or stuck. Because I don’t believe it’s just about having more information. I believe parents need a different lens. Fear tells us our teenager is lazy, rude, addicted or deliberately difficult. Wonder asks, What’s really going on? What need, skill or fear might I be missing? When we replace fear with curiosity, we make better decisions, drop our judgement and start connecting, and raise young people who are more resilient, independent and emotionally healthy. If you’re tired of parenting through worry, conflict or self-doubt, you’re in the right place. Join thousands of parents each week as we learn to Fear Less. Wonder More.
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Reviews

You're doing better than you think

"oh my gosh Rachel your podcast episode today could not have come on a better day thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️ and then to make it even more miraculous the example that you gave in the end…"

Pippa | Jan. 26, 2026

Info is exceptional, the guests always great and vitally the audio is clear.

"Greetings from Italy I am a single dad with a 12 year old son. Your podcast is incredibly useful in helping us. Info is exceptional, the guests always great and vitally the audio is clear. A prof…"

Antonio and son | Feb. 3, 2026

An Inspiration

"I found your podcast only a few months ago and have listened to almost every episode since. It has been a wealth of information and support and such a calming voice to listen to on my daily commute. …"

Steph | Dec. 5, 2025

A lifeline for parents whilst being entertaining & fun!

"Brilliant! A lifeline for tricky parenting situations. Sanity saving, emotional parent support delivered in a warm & fun way. You have made such a difference to my parenting. I’m still on …"

East Devon Mum | Oct. 22, 2025

Really loved the episode: Lessons in Parenting from Adult Kids Who Go No Contact # 156

"I wanted to write to you to say how much I resonated with your episode about estranged parents and children. Your guest beautifully articulated the role of a parent to love children exactly as th…"

Via Threads | Oct. 19, 2025

I can't believe I'm just discovering it.

"Hello! I'd like to say how awesome your podcast is. Wow, I can't believe I'm just discovering it. I sure could of used it 4 yrs ago probably. I've listened to around 15 episodes so far and it has bee…"

Kimberley | Sept. 25, 2025

Thank you

"Subject: Thank You Rachel and Susie, you are both amazing. I discovered your podcast a number of years ago, right when you first started, at a time when I was struggling to be an effective and …"

Bernie | Aug. 14, 2025

So helpful

"I wanted to thank you and your girls for the podcast you did on Reading festival. As the parent of a first time festival goer it has been so helpful. All the advice for me and my son, but it just mad…"

Anna | Aug. 18, 2025

Every parent should listen

"I have gained so many insights into being a parent, what my teens are going through and what they’re likely to go through. It’s reinforced my views but also given me a new perspective on what I could…"

DFlares | Aug. 22, 2025

Breath of fresh air

"Your latest episode with your girls was such a breath of fresh air—sniffles and all! Hearing Amelia power through a bad cold to talk about body changes and early puberty was heartwarming, and your ho…"

Kelly | July 8, 2025

Super helpful - shame I didn’t know about you sooner

"I have listened to practically every episode. I specifically appreciate that you have done the time consuming work of reading the books and doing the research and just give us the main take aways. V…"

Anonymous | June 12, 2025

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

Thank you!

"I've come back to this podcast recently and been reminded just how helpful and healing it is. Makes me also realise what massive mistakes I've made and wish I could go back to the start of my parenti…"

Anjali | June 23, 2026

Recent

July 19, 2026

How to Spot Grooming: Warning Signs Every Parent Should Know

A practical guide for parents: I scuffed the diamond-scattered pavement at the bus stop, shivering in a thin, borrowed coat and old school uniform, my socks rolled down the way cool kids wore them back where I came from. January in the UK is quite …
199
July 14, 2026

Ditch the "Good Mother" Myth: Parent Teens Without the Guilt

Ask Rachel anything Are women naturally good at being mothers or is that a cultural myth? It matters because if we believe women are naturally good at it then they deserve no kudos for the work they do and when we do struggle it lays the blame firmly at our feet, rather than the society we live in. In this episode, I was joined by historian and postnatal practitioner Alex Bollen, author of Motherdom, to unpack the “good mother” myths shaping our culture—and our guilt. We cha...
July 7, 2026

Parenting Tweens and Teens: The Summer Reset Big Picture

Ask Rachel anything Welcome to a special mini-series from Teenagers Untangled — seven simple, practical "parenting seeds" to plant over a week, preparing for when your child moves into secondary school or returns from summer. These are gentle shifts, not rules to perfect: They're designed to help you focus on what really matters, and reduce your stress. They'll help you to move from fixing problems to mentoring your child, build emotional safety at home, and give your teen the con...
June 30, 2026

Parenting Teens Top Tips Announcement + Vintage Reading Festival Advice

Ask Rachel anything Announcing my summer top tips series where I give you a short episode of tips organised around themes to help you focus on what you and your tween or teen needs to prepare you for the new school year. Make sure you’re following the show to ensure you don’t miss any and if you want to get them early and have the tips delivered weekly directly to you just click here Send me the free newsletter and enter our email address. You’ll get them straight to your mailbox. ...
197
June 23, 2026

The talk about money most parents leave until too late

Ask Rachel anything Seven in ten teenagers say they're very or extremely interested in investing. Not just curious, genuinely, actively interested. The problem is that most of us parents didn't become aware of investing until we were young adults or older, and half of parents say they wish they'd started sooner. That's a regret a lot of us are carrying around quietly, and without realising it, some of us are passing that same late start on to our kids. Teenagers today aren't waiting. They're ...
196
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 about school * What makes exams uniquely stressful (risk, public outcomes, long timelines) * How parents can build calm, constructive conversations and listen so teens feel safe to share * Practical st...
195
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 parents must see it as our job to raise capable, engaged citizens. With civics instruction waning in schools, Lindsey shares actionable strategies to turn everyday moments into lessons about govern...
June 8, 2026

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

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 here. It doesn't cost you anything, it's just a better place for me to store it. We thought it would be really useful for you to hear us talking so that you can get ideas for how you can open ...
194
June 2, 2026

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

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 Secrets and Rebels with a Cause), we dug into 40 years of research with adolescents. Her work is extraordinary because she has done something deceptively simple and radically powerful: She listened to ...
193
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 either let gambling become normalized during a critical period of their development, or we can act now—with education, safeguards, and real accountability.' In this episode Dr. Chung highlights the r...

Recent Blog Posts

July 19, 2026

How to Spot Grooming: Warning Signs Every Parent Should Know

A practical guide for parents: I scuffed the diamond-scattered pavement at the bus stop, shivering in a thin, borrowed coat and old school uniform, my socks rolled down the way cool kids wore them back where I came from. January in the UK is quite …
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…

About the Host

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.