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PODCAST

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

Shit Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You brings you candid conversations with experts in psychology, education, and college admissions — so you can better understand your teen and help them thrive. Hosts Cathy Chen and Meredith Herrera have coached thousands of teens and families, and they’re here to make this whole “parenting a teenager” thing a little easier. (Or at least, less bewildering.) Because parenting is hard AF.

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

18:36

Debunking Forbes’ Claims: Do Elite Summer Programs...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/04/02

We recently read a Forbes article about why your kid needs to attend a competitive summer program, and we have some thoughts. Join us as we get the facts straight about the article in question and break down what you need to be aware of when it comes to these expensive summer programs that claim to give your child an edge when applying for elite colleges. Find out how many of these programs misrepresent themselves (like by suggesting they are more selective than they are), the handful of programs

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34:00

How to Handle Teen Discipline Issues: Supporting Your...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/03/26

Sometimes, disciplinary issues are signs of deeper pain or turmoil in our children, making it important to step back and see things from a new perspective. In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, Cathy and Meredith dive into the various complexities of school disciplinary issues. They break down how different schools might handle these situations, share real examples of what you as a parent can expect, and offer practical advice on how parents can best support their kids through the

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36:05

My Kid is Mediocre, Now What?

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/03/19

Our world is increasingly obsessed with excellence and exceptionalism. As a result, more and more parents are fixating on how to make sure their kid is everything but mediocre. But is mediocrity really something parents should be panicking over? And could their efforts actually be doing more harm than good? Today, we deconstruct all the fears parents have around mediocrity and examine how hard you should be pushing your kids when, statistically, most of us are pretty average. We dig into the harms

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26:45

Should Your Teen Focus on One Passion or Explore...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/03/12

Many parents wonder if allowing their teens to explore multiple interests in high school might hurt their chances of getting into a top-tier college. In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, Cathy and Meredith tackle a listener question about whether their ninth grader should focus on one passion early or continue exploring a diverse range of interests. They break down the myth of the "perfect admissions hook," the harsh reality of ultra-competitive college acceptance rates, and how

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24:12

The Delulu is the Solulu! What to Do When Your Kid...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/03/05

Delulu is the solulu! This viral social media phrase encourages people to stay optimistic and self-confident in the face of challenges and remain grounded even in wackiness. Today, we look closer at the delulu side of things and try to find solutions to the common teen misconception that fame and success are achievable with minimal effort. We discover how the pursuit of instant gratification has made teens more delusional than ever, how inexperience informs delusion, how adults contribute to and

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28:44

Crafting a College Narrative: Tips for Helping Your...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/02/26

Welcome to another episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You! Today, we’re breaking down the college narrative. What it is, why it matters, and how to help your teen craft one that stands out. We’ll dive into how a college narrative differs from their school achievements, why it’s crucial to back up their story with real experiences, and how to make sure colleges see them for who they truly are. Plus, we’re sharing plenty of tips to make the process less stressful (for both you and your teen)

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21:40

AI in College Admissions: How UNC’s New Screening...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/02/19

AI is embedding itself in all aspects of our lives, and the college admissions process hasn’t been spared! The University of North Carolina (UNC) now uses AI to evaluate the grammar and writing style of essays, which are then used to judge admission to the university, and this move by UNC is a clear indication of why everyone involved in post-secondary education needs to understand AI in college admissions. We discuss UNC’s AI screening protocol, what it looks like from a student’s perspective, how

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28:34

Helping Teens Build Healthy Self-Esteem: Signs,...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/02/12

As coaches, we often come across self-confidence issues among teens; whether it be deep insecurity or grandiosity. So, today we wanted to discuss self-esteem, when it’s healthy and unhealthy, and signs that your teenager may be struggling with their self-esteem. Tuning in, you’ll learn about the signs of low self-esteem to look out for, when arrogance is masking itself as self-confidence, how kids with high self-esteem present, and so much more! We delve into how parents can help their kids build a

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31:01

College Visits 101: Essential Tips & Do's/Don'ts for...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/02/06

Cathy and Meredith are back with another episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, and this time, they’re tackling the wild world of college visits! From planning the trip to squeezing the most out of every campus tour and, most importantly, figuring out what actually matters once you’re there, they’ve got you covered. Tune in to find out why signing up for the official college tour is a must, which parent-approved tours should really be optional add-ons, and what students should do before

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27:50

Secrets to Success Every Straight A Student Knows

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/01/29

Does it seem like your teens are just coasting through school, disengaged, bored, and overwhelmed? In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, Cathy and Meredith explore the challenges teens face in academics and how parents can help them thrive. From fostering engagement in boring classes to building effective study habits, you’ll learn actionable strategies for overcoming obstacles like disorganized time management, over-scheduling, and distractions. You’ll also find out why sleep,

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22:29

College Admissions Deferrals & the LOCI: What Your...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/01/22

Deferrals—what do they mean, and what should your teenager do next? In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we dive into the world of college admissions deferrals, breaking down the process, and provide actionable advice for crafting a standout Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI). In our conversation, we explore what colleges are really looking for and why the LOCI might not matter as much as you think. Discover misconceptions about the admissions process, find out why institutional

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31:51

Can You Really F-Up Your Kids? Parenting Myths,...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/01/15

All parents worry about traumatizing their children. The truth is, if you’re a present parent who makes your child feel loved, screwing them up isn’t very likely! Today on Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we discuss whether or not you can f-up your kids. In this conversation, you’ll find out why we believe it’s quite difficult to f-up your children, the complex combination of factors that typically cause dysfunction, how to ensure your child feels loved, accepted, important, and prioritized, and

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41:45

Teen Stress and Anxiety: Expert Tips from Jenn...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/01/09

Today's generation of children has a remarkable knack for deconstructing the world around them. They reject judgment, advocate for inclusivity, and go to great lengths to ensure every disenfranchised voice has a seat at the table. And let’s be honest—no one calls out hypocrisy quite like a teenager! Joining Cathy and Meredith to dive into an insightful discussion, is their friend, Jenn Gaskin. Tune in to learn more about Jenn, the challenges she’s observed with today’s generation, and the positives

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35:40

Debunking the Myths: The Power of a Liberal Arts...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2024/12/18

Most kids have no idea what a liberal arts education really is, or why it might be a great choice! Today on Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we discuss a liberal arts education, why it’s beneficial, and so much more! We delve into what makes a liberal arts college unique, how it differs from a traditional university, the benefits of this kind of education, and what a liberal arts degree can be used for. We go on to discuss Meredith’s experience of being a liberal arts major and how it gave her

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36:13

The Real Talk on Teen Substance Use: Bella’s Story...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2024/12/11

Have you equipped your teen to make informed choices about substance use? During this episode, Bella, a Senior at a Boarding School back East, joins us to share the inside scoop of what’s really going on at teen parties. Since the start of her high school career, she has been involved in advocating for teens with substance abuse issues. Join us for a look behind the scenes at what motivates kids to use substances at a young age including social pressure and the problem of mental health. We discuss

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24:46

Mastering Letters of Recommendation: How to Stand Out...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2024/12/11

Letters of recommendation are so important in college applications, especially in the more selective colleges, and today, we are delving into why they need to be prioritized, the mistakes we see kids make, who to ask for letters, and more. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about the role of letters of recommendation in college applications, the dangers of focusing on the number of letters you have over the quality of them, how it can become the determining factor for whether or not you get into a college,

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39:26

Purpose-Driven Parenting: Helping Your Teen Find...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2024/11/27

Having a sense of purpose has been scientifically proven to increase your overall quality of life! So many college application essays are based on identity and most kids who find writing those essays easier have a sense of purpose already! Today on Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we are discussing the importance of developing a sense of purpose in teenagers. In this discussion, you’ll hear what purpose actually is, why having purpose is imperative, how you can help kids find their own, and how

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27:44

Navigating Teen Love: What Parents Need to Know About...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2024/11/20

When adolescents start dating, it can be far more intense, serious, and potentially unhealthy than parents may be aware of. Today on Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we are discussing all things teen love and relationships and sharing advice for parents who may not know how to handle it. In this conversation, we dig into why relationship talks with your teen might feel uncomfortable but are crucial to start before the need becomes urgent. We cover what to keep in mind when your child becomes

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31:25

More Ways Independent College Counselors Annoy Us

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2024/11/13

So many parents and teenagers fall into the traps independent college counselors set to sell their business as a foolproof way to get into good colleges. Today on Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we are here to discuss why that simply isn’t possible! There are no guarantees when it comes to college applications and focusing on what you think colleges may want instead of placing emphasis on the individual and what is best for them is hugely problematic. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about

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41:07

Lessons From This Year’s Early College Application...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2024/11/06

The college application process can be brutal and anxiety-provoking for parents, teenagers, and, in particular, college counselors! In this episode, we reflect on our experiences at the end of this season and even share some advice for parents approaching applications with their teens. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about why college counselors hate November 1st, the debilitating anxiety that teens may face during this time, the different ways they deal with it, and the importance of reading,

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124 results

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