Your teenager can turn a simple request into a full-blown war, and the worst part is how fast it happens. I’m joined by Inger Masson, an energy psychology therapist and the founder of the Empowered Parenting Framework, to unpack what’s really going on when teens “push our buttons” and why the secret isn’t a perfect script, it’s a regulated nervous system. We talk about her approach that sits between gentle parenting and control based parenting: regulated leadership that moves families from anxiety and conflict into calm, connection, and emotional resilience.

We get practical about identifying your triggers, including the surprisingly common one: when your teen shuts down, disappears to their room, and won’t let you in. Inger explains how a parent’s fear can be real and instinctive, but also how pushing for answers can create shame and deeper silence when teens don’t yet have the words. You’ll hear brain-based tools like Dan Siegel’s hand model, why teens misread tone and facial cues, and how co-regulation (staying calm when they can’t) changes everything. We also touch on EFT tapping as a tool for “uninstalling” old emotional buttons so your teen can’t accidentally hijack you into anger or tears.

We wrap with a powerful shift: our job in adolescence changes from fixing to containing, and boundaries work best when they’re rooted in family values like safety and respect, not arbitrary rules. If you’re parenting teens and want better communication, fewer blowups, and steadier leadership at home, this conversation will hit home. Subscribe, share this with a parent friend, and leave a review so more families can find these tools.

Connect with Inger

Visit her website, and find her on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green.

I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you.

Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in

Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts. And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!