If you’ve ever said, “My teen needs to be taken down a notch,” this episode is your wake-up call. We break down why that mindset crushes confidence and how a coaching approach actually develops humility, strength, and real independence. You’ll learn how to use love, challenge, and questions—not control or shame—to raise high-performing, emotionally healthy teens.

In this episode, we dive into how humiliation, even when subtle, can derail your teen’s confidence and passion. Instead, we offer some powerful questions to guide your teen’s growth through thoughtful challenges, encouragement, and conversations that fuel both their character and their performance (even if they're a bit defiant!).

The Timestamps!

00:00 Introduction to Parenting Philosophy

02:15 The Concept of Taking Down a Notch

04:48 The Emotional Cost of Humiliation

07:40 Challenging Overconfidence in Teens

10:18 Healthy Alternatives to Humiliation

12:49 Encouraging Growth and Confidence

15:14 Conclusion and Call to Action

Takeaways

-Taking your teen down a notch can be harmful.

-Humiliation has staggering emotional costs for kids.

-Parents should foster confidence in their children.

-Redirecting defiance is more effective than punishment.

-Asking questions can help teens reflect on their behavior.

-Love is a stronger motivator than fear.

-Modeling humility is essential for parents.

-Encouraging service can teach gratitude and humility.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us: LinkedIn Steve Galley

And, there’s more–there always isn't there?! If you’ve read this far you probably are totally nerdy and giddy about helping teen athletes and performers to excel. Click here to pick up our 100% Free Thinking Tool: The Question Only Conversation. Give it a whirl today and watch your relationship with your teen athlete or performer trend upward!

-Nate & Steve

Parents, here’s the hard truth: growth doesn’t happen where honesty is avoided. In Episode 118, we dive deep into why facing the truth—especially the uncomfortable kind—creates the breakthrough moments your teen athlete or performer needs. You’ll quickly learn how to apply our “3 Reframing R’s”—Reflect, Refocus, and Recommit—to transform your approach from typical parental reacting to coaching with clarity and power.

Moms and dads--we believe in you and we believe you CAN handle the truth!

The Timestamps

00:00 The Importance of Truth in Growth

02:15 Keys to Confronting the Truth

07:59 Personal Stories of Truth and Growth

12:46 The Three Rs: Reflect, Refocus, Recommit

Takeaways

-When you uncover more of the truth, the faster you grow.

-All progress starts with the truth. Rinse and repeat that!

-Be curious, not judgmental, when confronting the truth.

-Specificity helps focus on facts, not feelings.

-The 3 Reframing R's: Reflect, Refocus, & Recommit are a must!

-Consistency wins in all areas of life.

-Coaching can help identify blind spots.

-Accepting the truth opens doors for growth.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us: LinkedIn Steve Galley

And, there’s more–there always isn't there?! If you’ve read this far you probably are totally nerdy and giddy about helping teen athletes and performers to excel. Click here to pick up our 100% Free Thinking Tool: The Question Only Conversation. Give it a whirl today and watch your relationship with your teen athlete or performer trend upward!

-Nate & Steve

PARENTS—your words carry weight. If you're coaching a high-achieving teen, "linguistic intentionality" isn't optional—it's essential. In this episode, we break down why how you say something matters just as much as what you say. The way you communicate can build confidence, resilience, and trust—or do the opposite. This one’s packed with practical insight to help you level up your parenting (ahem, coaching) game. Let’s get into it.

The Timestamps!

00:00 Understanding Linguistic Intentionality

00:37 The Importance of Words in Communication

02:52 The Story of Finn: A Teen Athlete's Struggles

03:44 E + R = O: Event, Response, Outcome

04:40 Introducing The Controllable Compass

07:47 Role-Playing: Finn's Dad's Perspective

10:42 Emotional Responses and Self-Talk

13:07 Focus Management in Conversations

Takeaways

-Linguistic intentionality is crucial for effective communication.

-Words have a significant impact on relationships.

-Self-talk influences our emotional responses.

-E + R = O: Event + Response = Outcome.

-The Controllable Compass helps focus on responses.

-Clear purpose is essential in conversations.

-Maintaining a big picture perspective is important.

-Emotional awareness aids in better communication.

-Focus management helps prioritize what matters most.

-Preparation is key for intentional conversations.

Hey there Most Valuable Parents! We are creating a world-class podcast for parents of teen athletes and performers on YouTube. We can also be found on the other usual places you get your podcasts like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

New episodes drop every MONDAY.

We would be most grateful if you would SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where our unique show for parents of teen athletes and performers resides. The name of our podcast is the same name as our YouTube channel: The STOP PARENTING & START COACHING Podcast!

We're also posting valuable content on LinkedIn. Please follow us and connect with us: LinkedIn Steve Galley

And, there’s more–there always isn't there?! If you’ve read this far you probably are totally nerdy and giddy about helping teen athletes and performers to excel. Click here to pick up our 100% Free Thinking Tool: The Question Only Conversation. Give it a whirl today and watch your relationship with your teen athlete or performer trend upward!

-Nate & Steve