What happens when you come face-to-face with someone who caused you pain decades ago?

In this powerful episode of The 5 Star Life Show, Coach Seth sits down with returning guest Cherry Kulp, founder of Internal Garden, for an emotional conversation about childhood trauma, negative self-talk, identity, and the journey toward healing.

Cherri shares a deeply personal story about unexpectedly encountering someone who harmed her during childhood. After years of working through the effects of those experiences, her response to that moment revealed just how much her life had changed.

Together, Coach Seth and Cherri explore difficult questions about the stories we tell ourselves, the labels we accept, and whether the way we approach healing is always helping us move forward.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Five types of negative self-talk that can shape our identity
• How childhood experiences can influence our beliefs about ourselves
• The difference between self-awareness and destructive overthinking
• Why emotional intelligence requires more than recognizing your feelings
• How labels and victim mentality can affect the healing process
• Cherri's personal experience of childhood abuse and recovery
• What happened when Cherri unexpectedly saw someone who harmed her
• The role of faith, therapy, mentorship, and community in her healing journey
• Why finding the right therapist and support system matters
• How to stop allowing past experiences to define your future
• The importance of self-compassion and rebuilding your identity
• How painful experiences can become opportunities to help others

THE BIG QUESTION:

Are you moving forward from what happened to you, or are you still allowing it to define who you are?

This conversation is about recognizing the pain of the past without losing hope for the future.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Cherri Kulp is the founder of Internal Garden Coaching & Leadership Solutions, where she helps individuals and organizations develop healthier mindsets, strengthen leadership skills, and achieve meaningful personal growth. Through her work in emotional intelligence, neuroscience, and faith-based development, Cherri empowers others to overcome limiting beliefs and lead with confidence.

CONNECT WITH CHERRI:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UnearthedCC/ Email: info@internalgardencoaching.com Website: https://www.internalgardencoaching.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherrikulp/

LEARN MORE:

Visit www.fivestarlife.org to discover how Five Star Life is transforming students' lives by challenging the way they think, act, and lead.

Subscribe to The 5 Star Life Show for conversations about personal growth, leadership, parenting, relationships, and overcoming life's challenges.

Content note:

This episode includes discussion of childhood sexual abuse and trauma. The guests share personal experiences and perspectives; the conversation is not a substitute for individualized mental health care.

What do you do when your teenager stops listening, starts pulling away, or seems impossible to connect with? For many parents, the harder they try to regain control, the further their child seems to drift away. But what if rebuilding that relationship starts with changing your approach?

In this episode of The 5 Star Life Show, Coach Seth continues the Breakthrough in Parenting series with practical strategies for rebuilding trust, strengthening communication, and reconnecting with teenagers who are struggling. Drawing from real experiences in Five Star Life's LIFT program, Coach Seth shares the story of a mother who experienced a noticeable breakthrough with her daughter after just one week of applying a different parenting approach.

Coach Seth explores why teenagers crave independence, how fear-based parenting can create resistance, and why genuine connection begins when parents learn to listen, understand, and believe in their children. From recognizing emotional triggers to discovering your child's interests and pressures, this episode offers practical ways to create a healthier relationship and become someone your teenager wants to turn to.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How one mother saw a breakthrough with her daughter in just one week
• Why teenagers begin pushing back against parental control
• Understanding the changes that come with adolescence
• The difference between parenting from love and parenting from fear
• Why believing in your child's future matters
• How to respond when your teenager lies or breaks your trust
• Why asking questions can be more effective than giving commands
• Understanding emotional regulation and the nervous system
• How to recognize when your child isn't ready for a difficult conversation
• Why listening is sometimes more important than offering solutions
• Understanding the pressures teenagers face today
• How to help your child develop confidence and independence
• Why encouragement strengthens your relationship
• How to discover your child's interests and build common ground
• The story of a father who rebuilt his relationship with his son through music
• Practical ways to start rebuilding connection at home

THE BIG TAKEAWAY:

You don't have to control every decision your teenager makes to have a positive influence on their life.

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is step back, listen, believe in them, and give them room to grow.

When your child knows you're a safe place to turn to, the relationship begins to change.

WANT MORE PARENTING RESOURCES?

Download the Five Star Life Parent App on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and explore our Breakthrough in Parenting series.

Discover practical lessons, family discussions, and resources designed to help parents and children grow together.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FIVE STAR LIFE:

www.fivestarlife.org

Our mission is to transform students' lives by challenging the way they think, act, and lead.

Subscribe to The 5 Star Life Show for weekly conversations about parenting, leadership, personal growth, and helping the next generation thrive.

What if the way you're correcting your teenager is actually pushing them further away? As parents, we want our kids to make good decisions, take responsibility, and grow into successful adults. But when they lie, make mistakes, or refuse to listen, it's easy to respond out of frustration instead of love. And sometimes, the words we use to correct their behavior can unintentionally damage their confidence, identity, and trust in us.

In this episode of The 5 Star Life Show, Coach Seth and Coach Mia continue the Breakthrough in Parenting conversation by exploring how parents can move from frustration and fear to understanding, connection, and meaningful influence. Drawing from real experiences with families in Five Star Life's LIFT program, Coach Seth explains why teenagers often struggle during adolescence, how parents can recognize their own emotional triggers, and why addressing a child's behavior without attacking their identity is so important.

They also discuss the importance of emotional regulation, the power of believing in your child's future, and how parents can rebuild trust when their teenager makes a poor decision. Through personal stories, including lessons from legendary football coach Nick Saban and Coach Seth's own family, this episode challenges parents to rethink how they respond to their kids during difficult moments.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why teenagers experience major emotional and behavioral changes
• Understanding the transition from childhood to adolescence
• Why parents often struggle when their kids begin seeking independence
• How fear and frustration influence parenting decisions
• Why your beliefs about your child affect your relationship
• The difference between correcting behavior and attacking identity
• What parents can learn from Nick Saban's coaching transformation
• Why teenagers shut down when they feel attacked or judged
• How emotional regulation can help prevent unnecessary conflict
• Why giving your teenager space can lead to better conversations
• How to create a safe environment for honest communication
• Why parents sometimes unload accumulated frustration onto their kids
• How damaging words can affect a child's confidence and identity
• What to do when your teenager lies or breaks your trust
• Why kids need opportunities to solve their own problems
• How parents can become a source of support instead of fear
• Why rebuilding connection begins with believing in your child

The mission at Five Star Life :

Transforming Students' Lives by Challenging the Way they Think, Act, and Lead.

Go to fivestarlife.org to learn more about how we’re changing students' lives.

The Five Star Life App: Download "Five Star Life" on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on mindset, personal leadership, emotional intelligence, parenting, and the power of rising above your circumstances.

Connect with us on Instagram, TikTok, and all platforms @TheFiveStarLife

What if trying to control your teenager is actually pushing them further away? As kids grow into teenagers, something begins to change. They want more independence, they start questioning decisions, and the parenting strategies that once worked don't seem to work anymore. For many parents, that loss of control creates fear, frustration, and constant power struggles.

In this episode of The 5 Star Life Show, Coach Seth and Coach Mia discuss why parenting teenagers requires a shift from control to influence—and why believing in your child's future matters more than you might realize.

Drawing from real experiences with families in Five Star Life's LIFT program, Coach Seth explains how parents can unintentionally create cycles of conflict when they respond to their children's mistakes out of fear instead of love.

Together, they explore how to recognize whether you're parenting from fear, why teenagers need opportunities to make their own decisions, and how asking thoughtful questions can help kids develop responsibility, confidence, and critical thinking skills.

They also discuss why allowing appropriate consequences is important, how parents can rebuild trust after difficult moments, and what it looks like to maintain a healthy relationship with your children through major life changes, including divorce.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why teenagers naturally begin seeking more independence
• The difference between controlling your kids and influencing them
• How parenting from fear can create unnecessary conflict
• Why your child needs to know you believe in them
• What your facial expressions and body language communicate to your kids
• How to recognize when your emotions are affecting your parenting decisions
• Why parents need to gradually give teenagers more responsibility
• How excessive control can contribute to rebellion
• Why teenagers need opportunities to make mistakes and learn from consequences
• The importance of asking questions instead of immediately giving answers
• How to help your child take ownership of poor decisions
• Why being a safe place matters when your child is struggling
• How to repair relationships after difficult conversations
• Why parents need to work together and stay consistent
• How to navigate parenting after divorce while protecting your relationship with your kids
• Why the relationship matters more than any single mistake

THE BIG TAKEAWAY:

Your job as a parent isn't to control every decision your teenager makes. It's to prepare them to make good decisions when you're no longer there to make those decisions for them.

Believe in who they can become, give them opportunities to grow, and be the person they know they can turn to when life gets difficult.

The mission at Five Star Life :

Transforming Students' Lives by Challenging the Way they Think, Act, and Lead.

Go to fivestarlife.org to learn more about how we’re changing students' lives.

The Five Star Life App: Download "Five Star Life" on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on mindset, personal leadership, emotional intelligence, parenting, and the power of rising above your circumstances.

Connect with us on Instagram, TikTok, and all platforms @TheFiveStarLife

What if some of the most important things your kids are trying to tell you are the things you're not paying attention to?

Between busy schedules, school, sports, work, and everyday responsibilities, it's easy for parents to get caught up in everything that needs to be done. But sometimes, the moments that matter most are the ones we never planned for.

In this episode of The 5 Star Life Show, Coach Seth and Coach Mia explore the power of being present, recognizing the small ways kids reach out for connection, and creating meaningful relationships in the middle of everyday life.

Coach Mia shares a personal story about her granddaughter's simple invitation that turned into a powerful reminder about making time for the people we love. Coach Seth also shares an experience with a student whose seemingly random comments revealed something much deeper.

Together, they discuss why children don't always know how to communicate what they're feeling, how parents can become overly focused on correcting mistakes, and why genuine connection often happens when we're willing to be interrupted.

They also explore how sports, family experiences, emotional awareness, and intentional time together can help kids develop confidence, resilience, and stronger relationships.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why parents sometimes focus more on correcting their kids than connecting with them
• How our communication styles affect the way children respond
• Why recognizing effort matters just as much as addressing mistakes
• The importance of choosing which parenting battles are worth fighting
• How to establish expectations without constant nagging
• Why grandparents play such an important role in children's lives
• What Coach Mia calls the little “whispers” from kids and grandkids
• How seemingly random comments can reveal a child's need for connection
• Why some of the best relationship-building moments are inconvenient
• How busy schedules can prevent families from spending meaningful time together
• Why new experiences help families stay curious and connected
• How sports, performing arts, and extracurricular activities develop important life skills
• The importance of creating unscheduled time for your family
• How technology can interfere with genuine connection
• Why understanding emotions can help parents respond instead of react
• How Five Star Life's RISE curriculum helps students develop self-awareness and envision their future
• The power of visualization, intentional thinking, and choosing growth over remaining stuck

THE BIG TAKEAWAY:

Your kids won't always tell you directly when they need you. Sometimes it's a passing comment, a simple question, or an unexpected interruption.

The question is whether we're willing to slow down long enough to notice.

The mission at Five Star Life :

Transforming Students' Lives by Challenging the Way they Think, Act, and Lead.

Go to fivestarlife.org to learn more about how we’re changing students' lives.

The Five Star Life App: Download "Five Star Life" on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on mindset, personal leadership, emotional intelligence, parenting, and the power of rising above your circumstances.

Connect with us on Instagram, TikTok, and all platforms @TheFiveStarLife

What do you do when your teenager stops listening, starts rebelling, or makes decisions that leave you feeling completely helpless?

For many parents, the teenage years can become a constant battle of arguments, frustration, broken trust, and feeling like nothing you do is working.

In this episode of The 5 Star Life Show, Coach Seth and Coach Mia tackle one of the hardest challenges parents face: what to do when your child is heading down the wrong path and you don't know how to reach them anymore.

Drawing from real experiences with families in Five Star Life's LIFT program, Coach Seth shares powerful stories of parents who felt like they had tried everything, only to discover that changing their own approach could begin transforming their relationship with their child.

Together, Coach Seth and Coach Mia explore why teenagers push back against control, how learned helplessness affects parents, and why building trust, asking better questions, and becoming a safe place for your child can make all the difference.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• What to do when your teenager is rebellious, dishonest, or making dangerous decisions

• Why parents often feel helpless when nothing seems to work

• How learned helplessness can keep families stuck in unhealthy cycles

• Why parenting has to change as children become teenagers

• How your tone, body language, and emotional responses affect your child

• Why trying to control your teenager can create more resistance

• How one family began rebuilding their relationship in just one week

• Why parents need to become a safe place for their children

• The importance of asking questions instead of immediately giving answers

• How allowing teenagers to make decisions builds confidence and responsibility

• Why failure doesn't define your child's future

• How one struggling student dramatically improved his grades after changing his mindset

• Why parents need to separate their identity from their child's decisions

• How to maintain influence and connection as your teenager becomes an adult

• Why it's never too late to begin rebuilding your relationship

THE BIG TAKEAWAY:

Your teenager doesn't need you to solve every problem or control every decision. They need someone who believes in them, supports them, and gives them the opportunity to grow.

Sometimes the biggest change in your child's behavior begins with a change in your approach.

Go to www.fivestarlife.org to learn more about how we're changing students' lives.

Our mission at Five Star Life is simple: Transforming Students' Lives by Challenging the Way they Think, Act, and Lead.

What if the thoughts running through your mind aren't actually telling you the truth?

In this episode of The 5 Star Life Show, Coach Seth sits down with Cherri Kulp of Internal Garden Coaching & Leadership Solutions for a powerful conversation about the connection between our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and the way we experience the world around us.

Inspired by Max Lucado's Tame Your Thoughts, Cherri explains why we don't have to give every thought permission to take root in our minds. While we may not control every thought that enters, we can become more intentional about which thoughts we allow to stay.

Together, Coach Seth and Cherri unpack how unhealthy thought patterns can lead to learned helplessness, fear, control, hopelessness, and cycles that can follow us into our relationships and parenting. They also explore how self-awareness, emotional intelligence, curiosity, hope, and faith can help us challenge those patterns and begin thinking differently.

The conversation also turns to parenting—why failure doesn't make a child a failure, why constantly protecting kids from consequences can rob them of growth, and why parents have to learn to believe in who their children can become.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why you shouldn't believe every thought that enters your mind
• The connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behavior
• How to become more aware of the thoughts you allow to “land”
• Why learned helplessness keeps people stuck
• How hopelessness can change the way parents see their children
• Why failure doesn't make someone a failure
• How better questions can help kids develop ownership and self-awareness
• Why parents sometimes try to regain control when they feel helpless
• The importance of allowing children to experience consequences and grow
• Why parenting has to change as children become more independent
• How unhealthy beliefs and thought patterns can be passed from generation to generation
• Why emotional awareness matters—especially for young men
• How past pain can become a stronghold in the way you think
• The difference between understanding your triggers and expecting others to manage them for you
• How your thoughts can influence the way you perceive conflict and relationships
• The role social media can play in comparison, anxiety, isolation, and escape
• Why emotional intelligence is becoming increasingly important in life and the workplace
• How faith and renewing your mind can help break unhealthy patterns

Cherri Kulp is the founder of Internal Garden Coaching & Leadership Solutions, where she helps individuals, leaders, and organizations cultivate healthier mindsets, stronger leadership, and lasting personal growth. Drawing from neuroscience, leadership development, sociology, and faith, Cherri equips people with practical tools to overcome limiting beliefs, regulate emotions, and lead with authenticity and confidence.

Instagram: @UnearthedCC

C#: 574-213-2143

E: info@internalgardencoaching.com

W: https://www.internalgardencoaching.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherrikulp/

The mission at Five Star Life :

Transforming Students' Lives by Challenging the Way they Think, Act, and Lead.

Go to fivestarlife.org to learn more about how we’re changing students' lives.

The Five Star Life App: Download "Five Star Life" on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on mindset, personal leadership, emotional intelligence, parenting, and the power of rising above your circumstances.

Connect with us on Instagram, TikTok, and all platforms @TheFiveStarLife

Are you actually enjoying your life—and your relationship with your kids?

The teenage years can leave parents wondering what happened to the child they used to know. Attitudes change, emotions intensify, conflict increases, and suddenly the parenting strategies that worked when they were younger don't seem to work anymore.

In this episode of The 5 Star Life Show, Coach Seth and Coach Mia unpack what's happening during adolescence and why parents have to adjust the way they communicate, respond, and connect as their children grow.

They discuss how staying calm can help regulate your child, why fear can distort the way you see your teenager, and why constantly solving their problems can actually keep them from developing the confidence they need to thrive.

Most importantly, Coach Seth challenges parents to stop parenting from the worst-case scenario and start believing again in who their child is capable of becoming.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why so many people struggle to actually enjoy their lives
• How being present changes your relationship with your family
• Why adolescence can feel like the toddler years all over again
• Why parenting strategies have to change as kids become teenagers
• How your emotional state affects your child's emotional state
• Why parents should pay attention to what their bodies are telling them
• How fear can change the way you see and respond to your child
• Why teenagers need opportunities to solve their own problems
• The danger of constantly projecting your fear onto your kids
• How asking “How do you feel?” can completely change a conversation
• Why your teenager needs to see that you still believe in them
• How to help kids develop confidence and self-efficacy
• Why being present matters more than parents realize
• Two powerful questions every parent should ask their teenager

THE CHALLENGE:

1. Ask your teenager:
   1. 2.“What is one thing you wish I would stop doing?”
2. Then ask:
   1. “What is one thing you wish I would start doing?”
3. And then—listen.
   1. Your teenager is growing and changing. Your relationship with them can grow and change too.

The mission at Five Star Life :

Transforming Students' Lives by Challenging the Way they Think, Act, and Lead.

Go to fivestarlife.org to learn more about how we’re changing students' lives.

The Five Star Life App: Download "Five Star Life" on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on mindset, personal leadership, emotional intelligence, parenting, and the power of rising above your circumstances.

Connect with us on Instagram, TikTok, and all platforms @TheFiveStarLife