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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

19:45

Cool Things Teenagers Do

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2026/04/08

Teenagers often overcomplicate the activities they participate in to impress colleges when, in reality, they can find something simple and meaningful that could be just as impressive, and in the process, they may actually discover a true passion. In this conversation, you’ll hear some real-life examples of a few of the interesting and ‘out-of-the-box’ things our students have done that they are passionate about and are compelling to colleges. From selling drawings of people’s pets for charity to

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16:01

Things High School Students Should Be Doing… But Aren’t

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2026/04/01

Are you worrying about your high school student’s ability to be independent? You’re not alone! There are many things teenagers should be doing but aren’t, and they need to learn how to take care of themselves in order to be able to function without their parents when they go to college. In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, Meredith and Cathy sit down to talk about a few of the things teenagers should be able to do, but often can’t. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about the importance of

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16:52

College Admissions Advice That’s Just Plain WRONG

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2026/03/25

There is a lot of college admissions advice out there, and honestly? A lot of it is just wrong. In this episode, we’re calling some of it out. We get into the kinds of tips a lot of people think are useful, but don’t actually help. Like forcing or inventing opportunities for volunteering, chasing a single “passion,” or loading up on as many APs as possible. Instead, we talk about what really stands out: curiosity, trying things, changing direction, and showing genuine maturity. Because at the end of

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18:58

The Parents Who Drive College Counselors Crazy

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2026/03/17

If you’re the parent of a child who is applying for college, you may need to take a big step back. During this episode, you’ll find out what helps the process and what actually hinders it, and why the most important thing is to allow your child to take ownership of the process. It takes confidence to do that, and during this conversation, we also unpack how to support your child by avoiding some of the pitfalls many of our parents fall into during this critical time. Join us to learn how to work

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28:21

College Decisions Are In: What to Do After...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2026/03/11

Your kid has finally received their decision letters from colleges, but now what? In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, Cathy and Meredith unpack the steps that follow after your kid gets into college and the protocols that parents should take into consideration. They delve into the various outcomes of college admissions, including acceptance, denial, waitlisting, and alternative options like spring admission or a year abroad. They explore how trends in enrolment management impact

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13:25

Highly Selective College Admissions: How B’s and C’s...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2026/03/04

In this episode, Cathy and Meredith deliver a polite but unmistakable reality check: in the realm of highly selective college admissions, a couple of B’s — and especially a few C’s — are not simply “character building.” At institutions with acceptance rates in the low single digits, those grades can subtly move an application out of serious contention. In this arena, near-perfect academic performance isn’t a gold star — it’s the price of entry. That said, a disappointing grade is not the end of the

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18:55

Executive Function Coaching for Parents: How to Stop...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2026/02/25

Helping kids build motivation and overcome procrastination is one of the hardest things we teach as executive function coaches, and that you need to teach as a parent! It’s a delicate balance of guidance, patience, and strategy. In this episode, we dive into the complexities of coaching executive function, exploring why teaching skills alone isn’t enough to inspire real change. From navigating resistance and introducing consequences effectively to knowing when stepping back is the most empowering

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25:58

Boomerang Kids: How to Set Boundaries When Your Adult...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2026/02/19

In today’s episode of Shit Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, hosts Cathy Chen and Meredith Herrera tackle the growing reality of “boomerang kids”—young adults who return home after college and struggle to relaunch into independence. Cathy and Meredith unpack the emotional tug-of-war parents face as they try to be supportive without enabling, especially in today’s challenging economic and digital job landscape. From setting clear financial expectations and timelines to redefining household

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23:37

Teen Anxiety and Academic Pressure: When “Maximizing...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2026/02/11

Is pushing your child to maximize their potential 24/7 doing more harm than good? On Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, hosts Kathy and Meredith dig into the tension between kids who feel content and parents who keep pushing for more. They challenge the idea that success equals constant achievement, unpacking how that mindset fuels anxiety and fragility. Real growth, they argue, comes from balancing ambition with knowing when “enough” is enough. Tune in to hear why contentment isn’t a lack of

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22:23

Overparenting Teens: When Helping Too Much Hurts Your...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2026/02/04

Are you helping your teen or quietly running their life for them? In this episode, Cathy and Meredith unpack the subtle but common ways parents overcompensate for their teenagers and how that can unintentionally hinder the development of important life skills. They walk through the various real-world examples of excessive support, why encouraging independence and problem-solving skills in teens is essential, what drives parents to overcompensate, and a practical way for parents to check if they are

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13:24

College Admissions Reality Check: Why Saying “You’re...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2026/01/28

In this episode, hosts Cathy and Meredith dive into a well-meaning phrase adults often say to high school seniors and why it can do more harm than good. Telling students they’re “definitely getting in” to selective colleges may sound encouraging, but it can actually create unnecessary pressure and lead to major disappointment if rejection letters arrive. Cathy and Meredith unpack how today’s college admissions process is far more competitive than many adults realize, making these kinds of assurances

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27:56

The 3 Habits That Matter Most for Teen Wellbeing:...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2026/01/21

Sometimes the simplest habits can have the biggest impact on teenagers’ wellbeing. Today, Cathy and Meredith kick off the new year by naming three foundational habits they believe matter most for teens: sleep, screen use, and healthy play and physical movement. Drawing on years of coaching experience, they explain why sleep is essential during adolescence, how screens interfere with focus and rest, and why play and exercise are critical for mood and development. The conversation also looks at how

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23:41

Are College Visits Necessary? The Real Impact of...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2026/01/07

Visiting colleges has become more about fitting in and ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ than getting the information you need to make your college choice. Today on the show, we are discussing whether college visits are actually necessary. Tuning in, you’ll hear why Cathy thinks college visits are overrated, how her opinion has shifted over the years, what technology has done to change things, and so much more! You’ll hear when college visits may be helpful and when they may be harmful before we discuss

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22:16

Meaningful Summer Activities for Teens: What Actually...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/12/31

Not all summer activities help teens grow, even when they look impressive on paper. In this episode, Meredith and Cathy take on the summer advice that drives them crazy and often leads teens and parents in the wrong direction. They unpack why cookie-cutter internships, pay-to-play “prestige” programs, and résumé-padding service trips often miss the point, especially when they are handed to teens rather than earned. Drawing on years of admissions and coaching experience, they explain why real growth

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18:44

Holiday College Talk: What Parents and Family Should...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/12/17

This time of year can be very stressful for seniors applying to college, and they all need a break from the college discussions and pressure that comes with it. In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we are touching on what not to say during the holidays. You’ll hear all about what topics to avoid, why teenagers need a certain degree of privacy, how you can express care and interest without asking too many personal questions, and more! We talk about how to prepare your teenagers for

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19:01

How to Use AI in the College Admissions Process:...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/12/10

AI is changing how students navigate the college admissions process, and knowing how to use it well can save families time and stress. In this episode, Cathy and Meredith focus on the most effective and responsible ways teens can use AI for college search, planning campus visits, organizing supplements, preparing for interviews, and comparing schools. They explain why AI is a powerful tool for reflection and structure in essay writing, but not a replacement for a student’s real voice. They also

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29:35

How to Parent an Anxious Teen: Practical Strategies...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/12/03

Anxiety is a common experience among teenagers, and today on Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we are sharing some tips for parenting teens with anxiety! Tuning in, you’ll hear all about how anxiety manifests differently in different people, what it looks like in teens on a basic level, how to know when it’s affecting how they function, and the importance of helping teens get out of their heads to combat anxiety. We delve into why feelings need to be named, acknowledged, and felt before discussing

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21:18

How to Master the UC Application: PIQs, Impacted...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/11/26

Today we’re unpacking the UC application, partly because the online advice is… all over the place. With the December 1st deadline coming up, we break down why the UC application is different from the Common App and what actually matters. We walk through the Personal Insight Questions, how to choose which ones to answer, how to navigate impacted majors, and how to approach the activities section thoughtfully. We also touch on why context and extenuating circumstances should be included, plus a common

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15:31

What Is a School Profile? How Colleges Use It in...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/11/19

The school profile is an essential document that provides the context, rigor, and strategic insight needed to build a smart, effective college application list. Join Cathy and Meredith for another episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You as they break down everything you need to know about the school profile — what it is, how college admissions use it, and why understanding it matters. They also share tips on reading transcripts, which GPA to focus on, and why no amount of extracurriculars can

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21:57

You Hit Submit — Now What? What Really Happens After...

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You ·

2025/11/12

You finally hit “submit” on your college application, so what do you do now? In this episode, Cathy and Meredith walk families through what happens after the big moment, from the confetti on your screen to the first response email from your selected college. They explain how admission portals work, what to do if materials look “missing,” and why it’s normal for systems to take time to update. They also debunk common myths about submission timing, server crashes, and small errors, reminding parents

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136 results

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