Your brain isn’t broken, lazy, or “addicted to the internet” in some mysterious way. It’s doing what it evolved to do: chase rewards, seek safety, and size up social status using a handful of powerful chemicals. We sit down with Loretta Breuning, author of *Habits of a Happy Brain*, to translate dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and cortisol into real life, especially the messy reality of raising kids while trying to stay grounded yourself.

We talk about dopamine as the feeling of “I’m about to get something I need,” why that shows up as scrolling, snacking, or shopping, and how to replace one narrow dopamine source with healthier options. Loretta also explains mirror neurons and why kids mirror what we do when we’re stressed, soothed, proud, or checked out. If you want children to build a calmer relationship with technology, the starting point is often modeling what balanced use looks like, including intentional breaks and clear stop points.

From there we dig into serotonin as the fast, fleeting “I’m winning” signal that drives social comparison for adults and kids alike, plus oxytocin as the reward of earned trust rather than instant connection. We close with cortisol, your brain’s built-in reverse gear, and why a 20-minute cooldown can beat any lecture in the middle of a blowup. If you’re looking for practical brain science, parenting tools, and a more realistic definition of happiness, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a quick review so more parents can find it.

Connect with Loretta

Get your free 5-day happy chemical jumpstart here, or visit Loretta on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

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!

Your teen is upset, you’re frustrated, and suddenly a simple “no” turns into a full-blown argument. That moment can feel impossible to recover from, especially when you’re trying to hold boundaries and still keep your relationship intact. We wanted a practical, real-life way to bring the temperature down without shutting the conversation down.

We’re joined by Amy Saloner, a parent and teen coach focused on adolescent well-being, resilience, and helping young people grow into confident, on-purpose adults. Amy shares her Five C’s of communication: calm, consent, communicate, curiosity, and clarity. We talk about why you can’t solve problems from an escalated emotional state, how asking “Is now a good time to talk?” prevents unnecessary blowups, and how a simple nonviolent communication map (observations, feelings, needs, requests) can turn blame into collaboration.

We also dig into what many parents need most: rupture and repair. When you react out of fear, you can still go back, take responsibility, apologize, and reconnect. Amy explains why “connect before correct” matters, how reflective listening builds emotional safety, and why these skills shape everything from friendships and college transitions to leadership, negotiation, and healthy boundaries.

Subscribe for more practical parenting tools, share this with a friend raising teens, and leave a review so more families can find these communication skills. What’s the hardest part for you right now: staying calm, getting consent, or staying curious?

Connect with Amy

Get your own copy of The Cs of Communication and The Communication Map here, or find her on Facebook or Instagram.

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!

Your child says “fine,” shrugs, and disappears into their room, and you’re left wondering what you missed. We sit down with international conversation coach Jackie Bailey to unpack why kids and teens often stay quiet even when parents are trying hard, and how small shifts in everyday parenting communication can rebuild confidence fast.

Jackie shares the three conversations every child needs but rarely gets: “I see you,” “Let me try,” and “You’re safe with me.” We talk about how judgment, quick fixes, and big emotional reactions can accidentally silence kids, then we replace those habits with practical tools like curiosity questions, calm responses, and letting kids solve problems with support instead of rescue. You’ll also hear why “How was your day?” is basically a courtesy question, and how better prompts can unlock real stories, feelings, and trust.

We also dig into the modern barrier of phones and social media, including the body-language message we send when we keep a device in our hands. Jackie explains simple connection practices that build self-esteem and communication skills from the inside out: using your child’s name, making eye contact, listening for keywords, and reflecting them back so kids know they matter.

If you’re raising a shy child, dealing with school stress, or just trying to create a home where honest conversations happen, this one gives you a clear path forward. Subscribe, share this with a parent or educator who needs it, and leave a review. What’s one question you’ll ask your child today to help them open up?

Connect with Jackie

Find her on her website here, check out the Speak Feed Lead Facebook page or Instagram page, and listen to the podcast In The Groove with TJ.

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!