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PODCAST

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens Into Adulthood

Kenneth Wilgus, Cynthia Yanof

A weekly podcast on parenting teens and launching them into the world. Hosted by Cynthia Yanof with Dr. Ken Wilgus, author of the book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You."

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

00:31:08

Episode 226: The Case for Earlier Marriage (and why...

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/11/04

Today we’re talking marriage with Dr. Ken Wilgus — not our marriages (although we detoured there), but our kids’ future ones. Dr. Ken discusses research that says we shouldn’t panic if our kids consider getting married younger than the cultural norm. Marriage isn't just a “capstone” once you're fully established — sometimes it’s a cornerstone that builds adulthood together.We unpack cultural trends, fear-based parenting, and why avoiding the dating conversation doesn’t actually protect your teens

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00:34:23

Episode 225: Bullies, Victims and Bystanders - Teens...

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/10/28

From managing the influence of social media to knowing when (and how) to step in, this conversation reminds us that our role as parents isn’t to fix everything—it’s to stay present and connect with our kids often.If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" hereYou can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you

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00:33:59

Episode 224: When Teens Wander

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/10/21

Dr. Ken takes on a tough but deeply relatable topic for many parents—what to do when a child drifts from faith, family values, or relationship. Whether it’s a season of wandering, strained connections, or hard choices that break your heart, this conversation walks us through what it looks like to navigate prodigal seasons with our teens.Cynthia and Dr. Ken talk about the difference between a child who’s estranged from you versus estranged from God, why power dynamics so often make things worse, and

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00:31:56

Episode 223: Show me the money (and boundaries)

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/10/14

In this episode, Dr. Ken tackles the often tricky topic of finances with teenagers and young adults. From who pays for what to how much control parents should keep as kids become more independent, they unpack what it looks like to guide—not grip—the financial reins.Dr. Ken and Cynthia dig into everything from financial responsibility in high school to the bigger choices college students face. They talk about how a parent’s own relationship with money inevitably trickles down to their kids, why

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00:31:41

Episode 222: Defiant or Dysregulated?

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/10/07

This week on Feeding the Mouth That Bites You, Dr. Ken unpacks a word every parent has heard lately—dysregulation—and what it really looks like in teenagers. Spoiler: it’s not always as clinical or mysterious as it sounds. Sometimes it’s just what we used to call “spiraling” or “losing it.” We talk about how to tell the difference between a teen who’s simply being disrespectful and one who’s truly overwhelmed by emotion, and why calling everything “dysregulation” can actually make parenting harder

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00:26:51

Episode 221: When Spouses Disagree on Planned...

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/09/30

This week Dr. Ken and Cynthia discuss a challenge almost every parent faces—what to do when you and your spouse don’t see eye-to-eye on planned emancipation. From different approaches to devices and curfews, it’s not always easy to stay on the same page while raising young adults.We discuss why keeping your marriage first changes the conversation, how to navigate disagreements without turning them into power struggles, and what it looks like to support each other even when you don’t fully agree. We

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00:27:48

Episode 220: Parenting Teens Through Hard News and...

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/09/23

This week Dr. Ken dives into a topic every parent is facing—how to walk with teenagers when the news in our country feels heavy and unsettling. From tragic events to the endless political chatter on social media, it can be hard to know how to navigate this with our teens. We talk about the tension of wanting to protect our kids while also respecting that they’re young adults who see and hear more than we realize.We also wrestle through questions like: How do we start meaningful conversations without

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00:28:10

Episode 219: But What About A Teen Who's Diagnosed...

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/09/16

Today we tackle the common issue of how parents should handle planned emancipation when their teenager carries one or more diagnoses like ADHD or Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Autism Spectrum Disorder or Dyslexia or Depression or Anxiety or Trauma etc. etc. etc. This question comes up a lot! Dr. Ken’s take is clear and freeing—the diagnosis shapes how you coach but not whether you give freedoms. Parents can adjust their approach, offer tools, and expect some natural consequences, but lowering the

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00:27:16

Episode 218: Teens That Can't Wait To Leave And Teens...

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/09/09

This week we talk about teenagers who seem very eager to grow up and those who seem to fear adulthood. How should parents handle those differences? Is this a temperament thing? Are they afraid to leave us? Isn't it a good thing if our adolescents feel like they want to hang with us all the time?We cover this and much more. Did you even know we have an Instagram account? Dr. Ken didn't! Plus Dr. Ken and Cynthia decide on a "safe word" if Cynthia goes off the rails! If you have a minute, please

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00:33:08

Episode 217: Start The School Year Off Right With...

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/09/02

We're starting off our 6th season with a bang! Today we review the things you need to check as a parent to help the new school year start off right. Feeding The Mouth parents know to review their teenagers' freedoms, expectations and who's more worried about school, you or your kid? This year you better double check your teenager's school cell phone policy. Jonathan Haidt's book, "The Anxious Generation" https://a.co/d/bfHCLmG (see Episode 181) is having major effects around the world. Also,

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00:05:55

Episode 216: End Of Season 5 And Time For Summer Break!

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/05/27

Well it's that time again. School's out for a lot of you and Jessica and Dr. Ken are breaking for the summer. We leave with a few reminders for summer with teenagers. Hint: it has to do with those stupid phones.If you have time, drop us a line this summer with questions or further thoughts on topics you want to hear on "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You." Your feedback really helps. Thanks to you all who have made "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" among the top parenting teens podcasts. If you

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00:27:50

Episode 215: Dr. Ken's Soapbox: Parenting "Experts,"...

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/05/20

Today we take on some of the questions we get from parents. How can you give room freedom if your teenager shares that room with a sibling? What can parents do about making sure their adolescent is eating well? Also, Jessica accidentally hits a nerve with Dr. Ken by asking about what sources parents use to get parenting advice. Cue the soapbox.If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That

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00:33:32

Episode 214: How To Overcome Isolation

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/05/13

Today, Dr. Ken interviews Jessica who tells her own story of being proactive in overcoming the trend toward isolation that pervades our culture. Parents can't just set up "play dates" for their teenagers, they must themselves have a grounded group of friends who they share their lives with. What role does extended family play in these essential relationships? What about just being friends with the parents of your kids friends? We discuss these and other aspects of pushing back against an

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00:28:57

Episode 213: Why So Many People Are Going “No...

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/05/06

Today we review a growing trend of adults choosing to go "no contact" with their parents. Dr. Ken reviews the kind of circumstances that do call on people to put strict boundaries around their contact with parents and other family members. This new trend however, seems to stem from a growing number of therapists that have over-defined trauma and therefore recommend that their clients eliminate any person that they no longer find "supportive." Today's episode stems from the New Yorker article of

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00:41:48

Episode 212: Sex, Purity Culture and "How Far Is Too...

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/04/29

Here's the link to the "Awkward Graph"

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00:33:02

Episode 211: All About Sex and Dating

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/04/22

Today we revisit the topic of sex and dating. How should parents talk about it with their teenagers? What if my teen doesn't seem to have any interest in these sorts of issues? Is it a good idea to get your kid on birth control? Jessica and Dr. Ken talk about all this and more.Dr. Ken references the book "The Case Against the Sexual Revolution" by Louise Perry - https://a.co/d/evvl3pc If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can

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00:24:00

Episode 210: The Rise in Teen Sextortion Cases and...

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/04/15

Recent headlines tell us about a rise in teen boys being lured into sending explicit photos and then blackmailed for money to avoid these being published on the web. Some of these cases have resulted in suicide and the FBI has sent out warnings to parents. Of course, exploitation through explicit photos is nothing new to teen girls as well. How are parents to respond to these threats? Jessica and Dr. Ken approach these issues as an opportunity for real dialogue and not another occasion for fear

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00:39:43

Episode 209: All About Addiction in Teenagers

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/04/08

Today Dr. Ken and Jessica discuss all things addiction related. More parents worry about addiction in their kids. Is this awareness a good thing? What is the value in classifying certain problems as "an addiction"? What can parents do when they worry their teen is addicted to alcohol, drugs or anything else? What about adolescents who have a parent who is an addict? If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. You can order Dr. Ken's book

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00:32:19

Episode 208: Lying, Disrespect and Other, Common...

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/04/01

Today we finish our series on limit-setting with teens by covering common, miscellaneous issues. These are the things that often come up like, what to do about lying, is there a maximum effective time limit to grounding, or how to best limit disrespect. What about those teenagers that continually harass parents until they give in? As usual Jessica and Dr. Ken focus on being effective in limiting inappropriate or dangerous behavior while maintaining a path toward age-appropriate independence. If

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00:18:10

Episode 207: When Parents Have Different Limits,...

Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens... ·

2025/03/25

It's not uncommon for parents to have differences in what they prioritize and the ways they implement limits with their teenagers. It is essential however, that parents do all they can to overcome these differences and present a unified message to their teens. This is important not just for your marriage but for your effectiveness with your adolescents. When you as a parent have different limits from their other parent, teenagers don't "secretly realize" that you're the right parent, they just think

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226 results

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