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PODCAST

Your Zen Friend

Lauren Wolfe MS, LPC

Ever wish you had a zen friend? Someone who could help you ease your tween or tween’s anxiety, while also supporting you, so parenting was more peaceful?Well good news, host Lauren Wolfe, a therapist and mom who’s made it through those anxious teen years is here to offer parents some zen!A full-length episode comes out every Tuesday. And "A Drop of Zen," a short guided meditation or a "Zen Bonus Boost," a mini episode, come out every Friday.

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

22:25

5 Ways to Create More Connection and Calm This Summer

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/07/01

Send Lauren a text! Sometimes we have unrealistic expectations about our summer ahead. I just had a family vacation with some real highs and lows. I'm talking about temps in the 60's with rain on a beach vacation and a stomach bug or food poisoning kind of lows. Not fun! In this episode, I'll share about that eventful trip, how it can be helpful to have realistic expectations for the summer and 5 ways you can have more connection, peace and calm with your tweens and teens this summer. 📻 Key

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24:29

Fear of Being Awkward: Understanding Today's Anxious...

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/06/10

Send Lauren a text! Does it feel like your teen is more afraid of being "awkward," than you ever were at their age? As a therapist working with kids and teens, I've noticed today's generation seems particularly afraid of social missteps. What we used to call being "embarrassed" has evolved into something they call "awkward". In this episode, I'll explore why kids are so afraid of awkward moments nowadays and share practical ways you can help your tween or teen to take healthy risks, and surv...

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19:33

Chaos to Calm: Managing Your End-of-School Year Stress

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/05/27

Send Lauren a text! Is this time of year feeling absolutely insane for you as a parent? Between field trips, graduations, concerts, and athletic awards, these final weeks of school can push even the most organized families to their breaking point. In this episode, I'll share three essential tips to help you navigate this hectic time with more peace, joy, and calm—while supporting your anxious tween or teen. 📻 Key Episode Highlights Why this time of year is the most overwhelming for families

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32:25

Why Anxiety Treatment Seems To Fail: What Parents...

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/05/13

Send Lauren a text! Are you and your tween or teen struggling with anxiety treatment and wondering why it doesn't seem to be "working" right away? In this episode, I'll share the #1 misconception about anxiety recovery and help you understand what real healing actually looks like. ✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen Tune in till the end of the episode when I share how I incorporate Harry Potter themes into counseling and some upcoming themed events that could help your tween or teen experience how...

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26:43

Anxiety Red Flags: When to Seek Help for Your Anxious...

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/04/29

Send Lauren a text! Are you starting to notice signs of anxiety in your tween or teen and wondering if it might be time to get seek support? In this episode, I’ll share how to know when your child could benefit from working with a qualified therapist and help you feel more confident about what to do next. ✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen Tune in till the end of the episode when I share how an old TV show that's now streaming is bringing me joy!📻 Key Episode Highlights Understanding and

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5:38

Drop of Zen ~ A Joyful Moment

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/04/22

Send Lauren a text! Parenting a tween or teen with anxiety is challenging! This Drop of Zen, a short guided mediation, is designed to offer you support and self care. This mediation is perfect to do anytime you would like to connect with joy. Perfect for a mid day break or a morning exercise to help you feel positive and more joyful. Enjoy! 😌 This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy o...

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31:16

The Parent's Roadmap to OCD Treatment: Choosing a...

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/04/08

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I focus on how parents can find qualified therapists who treat OCD in children and teens, understand ERP therapy (the gold standard in OCD treatment) and support their child's recovery journey. ✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen Tune in till the end of the episode to discover my new favorite protein-packed snack that helps me through mid-day energy slumps! Click here to see where you can buy this snack for yourself 📻 Key Episode Highlights Finding qu...

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41:21

Anxiety or Something More? A Parent's Guide to...

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/03/25

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I explore the key differences between OCD and anxiety in tweens and teens. Learn how to recognize the signs and identify when your child might need specialized support. ✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen Tune in till the end of the episode to discover my favorite free meditation app! I'll tell you how it's been keeping me accountable to meditate on a daily basis. And how I'm noticing positive differences from staying consistent. 📻 Key Episode Highli...

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32:08

Smartphones & Anxiety: Setting Healthy Boundaries for...

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/03/11

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I explore the link between smartphone use and anxiety in tweens and teens. I'll introduce the term "problematic smartphone use," explain what it looks like, how to recognize if your child is struggling with it, and share practical (as well as creative) strategies to help them set healthier boundaries with their phone. ✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen Tune in after the break to discover what recently brought me more zen. I was the lucky winner of a contest at...

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21:14

To Reassure or Not to Reassure: What to Do When Your...

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/02/25

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I tackle a common dilemma parents face: should you reassure your anxious tween or teen when they're worried, or could that actually make their anxiety worse? I'll share practical strategies to help you know when it's ok to offer a little reassurance. And I'll let you know when it's better to not reassure and what you can do instead. 📢 Important Scheduling Update: * I'll be releasing new episodes twice a month for the next few months (instead of wee...

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27:42

Parenting is Ridiculous, Keeping it Real as a...

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/02/18

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I'm taking off my therapist hat and getting real about the challenges of parenting - especially when it comes to raising tweens and teens. Join me for some honest conversation about the ups and downs of this parenting journey! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 ✨ I'll share with you: Why parenting is ridiculously challenging (and keeps changing just when you think you've figured it out!)The special challenges of parenting tweens and teens with anxiety The truth about parenting...

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22:19

Easing Sunday Scaries for Tweens and Teens

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/02/09

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I'm tackling the Sunday Scaries - those end-of-weekend worries that so many tweens and teens experience. If your child's weekend joy turns to anxiety as Monday approaches, this episode is for you! 😰 ✨ I'll share with you: How to recognize Sunday Scaries in your tween or teen (including some surprising signs you might not expect!)Why anxiety tends to peak right before anticipated eventsThe powerful 10-minute worry strategy that helps get those anxiou...

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24:13

How to Stop Walking on Eggshells with Your Anxious...

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/02/04

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I'm diving into something SO many parents tell me about - that feeling of walking on eggshells around their anxious tween or teen. That sense that you're literally tiptoeing through your own house, scared that saying or doing the wrong thing might trigger a reaction that sends your whole family's day into a spiral. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone! 😰 ✨ Breaking Free from Walking on Eggshells (Without Losing Your Zen!) I'll share with you: The

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24:03

Social Anxiety in Tweens and Teens and How to Help as...

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/01/28

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I’m talking about a struggle that’s super common for tweens and teens: social anxiety. I’ll cover what it is, how to spot it, and, most importantly, how you can help your child to take healthy risks in social situations.Social anxiety can show up in many ways, such as avoiding social situations, fearing judgment, or overthinking conversations. These feelings can make it difficult for tweens and teens to connect with others or handle everyday

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40:10

Supporting Your Anxious Teen While Managing Your Anxiety

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/01/21

Send Lauren a text! In today’s episode, I’m answering our first listener question from Anna, a fellow Zen Friend, who’s struggling with her own anxiety triggered by her daughter’s anxiety.✨ Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:Why your anxiety makes sense – Understanding the emotional connection between you and your child.The Anxiety Feedback Loop – How your child’s anxiety can trigger yours, and how to break the cycle.Practical strategies – Tips for managing your anxiety so you can better...

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8:53

Zen Bonus Boost ~ The Importance of Validating...

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/01/15

Send Lauren a text! Welcome to your Zen Bonus Boost! This is a short (and hopefully sweet) episode designed to offer support, strategies and tips for parents of anxious tweens and teens.On this episode I'll tell you why it is important and helpful to validate your own feelings as well as your children's. I'll give you examples of how you can practice self compassion as well as offer your children emotional support. If you are looking for support for your tween or teen and live in Connecticut,...

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33:36

Have Less Anxiety and More Balance in 2025

Your Zen Friend ·

2025/01/07

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, we’re diving into 3 ways to bring more balance to you and your tween/teen in 2025! 🎉 ✨ Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:1️⃣ Reducing the pressure (on yourself and your kids)2️⃣ Tackling overscheduling to create more room for connection3️⃣ Valuing relaxation, creativity, and movementI’ll also share relatable stories (including some parenting wins and lessons learned) and practical tips for lowering anxiety in your home. 🙌✨ What’s Bringing Me More

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18:50

Anxiety, Routines and Holiday Traditions

Your Zen Friend ·

2024/12/17

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I’m diving into routines and predictability—how they can help (and sometimes hinder) your anxious tween or teen—and exploring the joy and connection that holiday traditions bring. I’ll also share a peek into my family’s Christmas traditions, both past and present.Traditions are powerful—they create connection, foster joy, and give us something to look forward to ☺️💬 Stay Connected:Visit yourzenfriend.com for more resources.Join our private Facebook group,

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42:04

Setting Boundaries During the Holiday Season with...

Your Zen Friend ·

2024/12/10

Send Lauren a text! Feeling overwhelmed with all the holiday to do's? Guest and friend of the pod, Vicki Smith will help us to clear our schedules of the stuff that doesn't serve us so that we have more time to do the things we enjoy. Self care isn't just about lighting candles and wearing cozy socks. One terrific way to care for yourself, especially during the holidays is to set healthy boundaries. Vicki is here to help us do that!It's not always easy to distinguish between a 'hell yes' and ...

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32:07

Have More Zen and Less Stress for the Holidays

Your Zen Friend ·

2024/12/03

Send Lauren a text! In this festive episode, I’m sharing how I’ve shifted my holiday traditions to create more peace and joy during this busy season. Whether you're juggling the magic-making or supporting an anxious tween or teen, it can feel like a lot (especially for us moms 🫠🎧 Tune in for:The traditions I’ve let go of (goodbye, elf shenanigans and cookie parties!)What I’ve said YES to, like ordering Chinese food for Christmas dinner 🍜🎄How I set boundaries and prioritize meaningful

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208 results

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