The Positively Healthy Mom

Laura Ollinger, M.Ed. in Health & Wellness | Teen & Parent Well-Being Coach
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Mastering Parenting Teenagers with Confidence & Connection Stop nagging and start connecting. The Positively Healthy Mom is the essential resource for moms of teens and preteens who want to navigate the "messy middle" of adolescence without losing themselves. Hosted by Teen & Young Adult Well-Being Coach Laura Ollinger, this podcast is built on a singular truth: a healthy, regulated mother is the secret to a thriving home. Do you find yourself asking: How do I connect with my teen without them shutting down or exploding? How do I support my teen’s mental health and anxiety without making it worse? What do I need to know about the teen brain to communicate better?Every Wednesday, Laura brings you deep-dive conversations with neuroscientists, child therapists, coaches and academic strategists to provide real-time answers to the complex issues families face today. What We Solve Together: Teen Mental Health & Resilience: Research-backed strategies for raising resilient teenagers in high-pressure school and sports environments. Neurobiology & Positive Parenting: Understanding the teen brain to move from a relationship of control to one of deep, lasting connection. Maternal Well-Being & Burnout Recovery: Tactical time management and emotional regulation tools (EFT, HeartMath, and breathwork) to help you reclaim your identity. Digital Wellness: Navigating social media boundaries, cell phone contracts, and screen time. College & Academic Strategy: Expert insights on college admissions and academic pressure.About Your Host:Laura Ollinger is a Teen & Parent Well-Being Coach dedicated to helping moms of teens and tweens thrive. She holds a Master’s in Health and Wellness Education, is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and maintains multiple certifications—including Elite Certified Neuroencoding Specialist, Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach, Dr. Amen Brain Health Trainer, and certification from the HeartMath Institute in Stress, Anxiety, and Emotional Regulation. As a mom of four (two boys and two girls aged 12–16) and the founder of Positively Healthy Coaching, Laura understands firsthand the challenges and rewards of parenting during the teen and tween years. Through her coaching programs and The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast, she equips parents with the mindset, skillset, and self-awareness needed to cultivate confidence, connection, and emotional mastery. Learn more at www.thepositivelyhealthymom.com. Connect with Laura: Web: Positively Healthy Coaching Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching YouTube: The Positively Healthy Mom Channel

  1. 2d ago ·  Video

    Fear vs. Love in Parenting: How to Regulate Your Emotions During Family Conflict

    How can parents stay calm and regulate their emotions when reacting to teen conflict? In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we sit down with Stacey Greer, an ICF Professional Certified Coach, Master NLP Practitioner, relationship repair expert, and founder of The Upstream Method and the Family Peace Project. This episode explores how parents can understand their own emotional triggers and nervous system baselines so they can move away from fear-based reactions and respond with love during teenage conflict. Moms of teens and young adults who want to de-escalate household arguments and build safer, more trusting relationships with their kids will benefit greatly from this conversation. Key Conversations in This Episode: How unhealed childhood wounds and past experiences cause parents to overreact to teen behaviors like eye-rolling and door slamming. Identifying whether your reaction comes from a need to regain control out of fear or a desire to offer guidance out of love. Understanding the internal process that happens—from emotional triggers to nervous system reactions—before shouting or conflict escalates. Stacey introduces her mission to create safer, more compassionate homes and empower parents to become "peace builders".Question Moms Of Teens Are Asking: How can I create an environment where my teenager feels comfortable telling me the truth?Answer Discussed In This Episode: Teenagers feel safe being honest when parents regulate their own emotional reactions and refrain from withdrawing love or reacting with intense judgment when mistakes happen. By staying grounded in your nervous system baseline, you show your teen that love and connection are not at risk during tough conversations. Meet Our Expert:Stacey Greer is a relationship repair coach, speaker, bestselling author, ICF Professional Certified Coach, Master NLP Practitioner, and founder of The Upstream Method and the Family Peace Project. For over 15 years, she has guided parents and families through conflict, communication struggles, and emotional reactivity. Her mission is to help parents understand their inner process so they can create emotionally safe homes where love is stronger than fear, with a goal of impacting one million families through the Family Peace Project. Guest Links: Website: Stacey Greer Coaching (go visit the Family Peace Project tab on her site)Instagram: @staceynicolegreer LinkedIn: Stacey N. Greer Connect With Your Host, Laura Ollinger Join my FREE Webinar: How To Go Back To School Without Freaking Out (for Teens) Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching Rate this podcast!

    Fear vs. Love in Parenting: How to Regulate Your Emotions During Family Conflict

  2. Jul 22 ·  Video

    Tired of Medication Side Effects? Discover TMS: A Drug-Free Option for Teen Depression, OCD, & Autism

    Is there a drug-free alternative to ADHD, depression, and OCD medication for my teenager?In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we sit down with Kelley Jensen, a dedicated brain health advocate, co-host of the Refrigerator Moms podcast, and representative of Brain Performance Technologies. This episode delves into the cutting-edge worlds of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT)—offering a literal lifeline to moms of neurodivergent teens and young adults who are tired of managing severe medication side effects or dealing with treatment-resistant conditions. Key Conversations in This Episode: Why so many neurodivergent youth experience severe side effects or zero progress from traditional antidepressants and stimulants, and how neuro-modulation offers a non-invasive reset. Real-world insights into how targeting specific brain regions can dramatically improve sleep, regulate circadian rhythms, reduce intrusive thoughts, and unlock "autistic joy." Demystifying the in-office experience for highly sensitive or anxious teenagers and children so parents can feel confident exploring this safe, drug-free therapy. The core differences between TMS and MeRTQuestions Moms Of Teens Are Asking And This Episode is Answering:Question: My teen has tried multiple medications for depression and OCD, but nothing is working. Is it safe to try something like brain stimulation? Answer: Yes. Standard TMS is fully FDA-cleared for Major Depressive Disorder and OCD. Because it is completely non-invasive and requires no anesthesia or sedation, it avoids the systemic, exhausting side effects (like emotional blunting, weight changes, or sleep disruptions) common with heavy psychiatric "medication cocktails." Question: How can MeRT therapy specifically help an autistic teenager who struggles with anxiety and poor sleep? Answer: MeRT doesn't try to "cure" autism; instead, it uses a personalized brain map to locate areas of neurological dysregulation. By delivering targeted magnetic pulses to optimize alpha waves, it helps smooth out the nervous system, which naturally improves sleep quality, balances circadian rhythms, and makes daily anxiety much more manageable.Meet Our Expert: Kelley Jensen is an expert in interventional psychiatry solutions and a prominent voice at Brain Performance Technologies. As a co-host of the popular Refrigerator Moms podcast, she dedicates her time to helping families navigate neurodiversity, shedding light on evidence-based, drug-free alternatives that significantly improve quality of life for autistic and neurodivergent individuals. Connect With Your Host, Laura Ollinger Join The upcoming FREE Webinar: How To Go Back To School Without Freaking Out (for Teens) Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching Rate this podcast! If this episode gave you a glimmer of hope or a new path forward for your family, please take 60 seconds to leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your review helps other tired, searching moms find our community!

    Tired of Medication Side Effects? Discover TMS: A Drug-Free Option for Teen Depression, OCD, & Autism

  3. Jul 15 ·  Video

    The Non-Restrictive Home: Building Strong Body Image and Resilient College Students

    How to stop demonizing food, fix picky eating habits, and help your teenager build a healthy relationship with their body before leaving the nest. In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we sit down with Lisa Moskovitz, a registered dietitian, founder of the New York Nutrition Group, and author of The Core 3 Healthy Eating Plan. Navigating the high-stakes pressure of teen body image, kitchen control battles, and social media comparison can leave any parent feeling overwhelmed. This episode dives into the liberating concept of "nutrition by addition," shifting the focus away from strict restriction toward fueling real resilience. Moms of teenagers and young adults preparing for the college transition will benefit deeply from this practical, stress-free approach to family eating habits. Key Conversations in This Episode: Shifting your household language from restrictive dieting to "nutrition by addition" to lower family food anxiety Ditching the trap of kitchen perfectionism and adopting the "80% rule" for real-world parenting success How over-controlling your teen’s intake of sweets backfires and how to neutralize intense sugar cravings Practical nutrition tools to help older teens navigate college dining halls and sustain brain energy independentlyQuestions Moms Are Asking and The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast is Answering: Question: How can I help my teenage daughter build a healthy body image when she is constantly exposed to toxic diet culture and social media comparisons? Answer: The most powerful defense starts at home by shifting our focus away from the scale or physical appearance and onto true nourishment. By neutralizing "good vs. bad" food language and protecting our children from restrictive diet rules, we teach them to listen to their own bodies rather than an algorithm. Question: What should I do if my teenager comes home and binges on sweets, or if I feel like I constantly need to hide the junk food? Answer: Hiding food or treating sugar like a forbidden fruit creates an artificial "scarcity mindset" that causes kids to overeat out of survival instinct. Moving toward a place of permission—where treats are a standard, relaxed part of life—takes away the taboo power of cravings and stops the pantry battles. Meet Our Expert: Lisa Moskovitz, is a certified registered dietitian, the CEO of the New York Nutrition Group. With over a decade of experience in private practice, she is passionate about helping individuals form healthier relationships with their bodies. Guest Links: Website: nynutritiongroup.com Instagram: @lisamnutrition Book: The Core 3 Healthy Eating PlanConnect With Laura Ollinger Let’s Work Together To Make Your Connection With Your Teen or Young Adult Joyful!Register For How To Go Back To School Without Freaking Out (for Teens) FREE WebinarRate This Podcast!Follow @positivelyhealthycoaching on Instagram!

    The Non-Restrictive Home: Building Strong Body Image and Resilient College Students

  4. Jul 8 ·  Video

    Parenting Teens in the Digital Age: Replacing Time Management with Attention Management

    How do I get my teenager to put down their phone? In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, I sit down with Maura Thomas, an award-winning international speaker, trainer, and the world's most widely cited authority on attention management whose work has been embraced by NASA, Google, and Dyson. Together, we explore how moms of teens can reframe the  traditional time management trap, beat screen addiction, and parent teens while modeling strategies that reclaim their family's focus in a heavily distracted world. Key Conversations in This Episode: Why traditional time management fails in the digital age and what to use instead The dark reality of the attention economy and how it targets our children's brains Empowering tech habits to help your family reap the benefits of technology without losing your presence Simple, actionable lifestyle changes to reduce mental fatigue and build real connectionQuestions Moms Are Asking and Maura Thomas is Answering: Question: My teen is constantly distracted by their phone—how can I fix this?Answer: Stop trying to manage their time and start helping them manage their attention. Distraction is an environment, not a personal failure, and teaching them to control their attention is the most critical 21st-century skill they need. Question: How can I model good digital habits when I’m also glued to my devices for work and life?Answer: Create deliberate friction between you and your tech. Put physical distance between yourself and your phone during family hours, and transition from constant multitasking to intentional single-tasking. Meet Our Expert, Maura Thomas: An award-winning international speaker, productivity trainer, and author of six best-selling books, including Attention Management. Named a Top Leadership Speaker by Inc. Magazine, she is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review and Forbes, and the founder of Regain Your Time. Guest Links: Website | LinkedIn | YouTube | Attention Management BookConnect With Your Host, Laura Ollinger Let’s Work Together To Make Your Connection With Your Teen or Young Adult Joyful! Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching Rate this podcast! How To Go Back To School Without Freaking Out Free Webinar For Teens

    Parenting Teens in the Digital Age: Replacing Time Management with Attention Management

  5. Jul 1 ·  Video

    How to Balance Midlife Hormones, Boost Energy, and Clean Up Your Family's Diet with ZuZu Armes

    How can busy moms balance midlife hormones naturally and protect their teenager's brain focus? In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we sit down with Karen "ZuZu" Armes, a holistic health educator, speaker, and author who has given more than 2,500 health seminars globally. In this conversation, we dive into how moms in midlife can completely balance their hormones, regain lost energy, and implement a "primary care" wellness baseline to protect their teen’s nervous system, focus, and overall long-term wellness. This episode is specifically curated for moms of teens and young adults looking to confidently ditch the chronic exhaustion, clear up family diets, and understand what their bodies truly need to thrive. Key Conversations in This Episode: Shifting from standard pharmaceutical dependencies to foundational primary care through real foods, Peruvian maca root, and traditional holistic healing practices. A simple look at why so many moms in perimenopause are chronically iodine, DHEA, or GABA deficient—and how to naturally bring your endocrine and nervous systems back into harmony. How common kitchen choices like refined sugars and processed seed oils are fraying the crucial myelin sheaths protecting your teenager’s brain and nervous system. Why your daily cup of coffee might be causing hidden health issues, and how switching to organic, mycotoxin-free, low-acid options can restore your energy.Questions Moms of Teens Are Asking and Zuzu is Answering: Question: Why am I so exhausted all the time in my late 40s/50s? Answer: Chronic midlife exhaustion is frequently linked to a sluggish thyroid caused by an iodine deficiency. Iodine is essential for the thyroid to produce T4, which converts into T3—the direct source of your physical energy. It can also be influenced by an unchecked nervous system over-depleting your GABA and DHEA reserves. Question: How do I know if my teenager's diet is actually harming their focus or causing ADHD symptoms? Answer: Studies have shown that an overwhelming majority of children see drastic improvements in ADD/ADHD focus simply by eating completely organic. Standard non-organic foods are sprayed with pesticides and herbicides explicitly designed to disrupt and kill living nervous systems. Eliminating these alongside seed oils and high sugars protects the fatty myelin sheath surrounding your teen's nerves. Connect With Our Expert, Karen “Zuzu” Armes: https://www.zuzuunleashed.com/ https://www.instagram.com/zuzu_unleashed/ https://www.lillyfieldscenter.com/Connect with your host and coach, Laura Ollinger: Let’s Work Together To Make Your Connection With Your Teen or Young Adult Joyful! Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching Rate this podcast!

    How to Balance Midlife Hormones, Boost Energy, and Clean Up Your Family's Diet with ZuZu Armes

  6. Jun 24 ·  Video

    What is the Best Way for Parents to Teach Teens Resilience?

    How can parents teach teenagers mental resilience against anxiety and stress?In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we sit down with Dr. Jerry Weichman, a clinical psychologist, adolescent specialist, and parenting expert with nearly three decades of experience. If you are a mom feeling like you are constantly overthinking things and just not being present with your kids, or if you are watching your teenager struggle with future anxiety and just not being in control of their reactions, this episode is just what you need. Dr. Jerry Weichman shares actionable mental health tools and frameworks designed to help parents effectively model resilience and quiet confidence for their kids. Key Conversations in This Episode: Life is the "Guy in the Van": Utilizing Dr. Jerry's powerful visual analogy to instill an unshakeable fighting spirit and resilience in your teen. Thoughts Create Problems, Actions Fix Them: Breaking the vicious cycle of teen and parent overthinking and learning how to pivot to actionable solutions. The Here and Now Protective Bubble: Practical grounding tools to pull anxious teens out of future-based fear-mongering (like AI and career stress) and back into the present moment. The Weichman Clinic Team Approach: Why treating a teenager in isolation fails, and how evaluating the entire holistic family system creates lasting mental wellness.Questions And Answers For Moms Of Teens About Resilience Building: How do I help my teen handle future anxiety about college and careers?  Answer: Help them shift focus away from variables they cannot control (like shifting job markets or AI technology) and anchor them in their actions, reactions, and the tangible characteristics they bring to the table right now.    What is the true definition of bullying, and how should my teen respond?  Answer: Bullying is a repeated, power-imbalanced event meant to degrade. Dr. Jerry notes that “mean” kids act out of unresolved pain. Teaching your teen to recognize this lets them rise above the situation with pity rather than matching the anger.   Meet Our Expert: Dr. Jerry Weichman, Ph.D., is the founder of The Weichman Clinic and its Teen Brain Program in Costa Mesa, CA, as well as the creator of the Raising Families podcast and resource hub. Website: raisingfamiliespodcast.com & theweichmanclinic.com Instagram: @drjerryweichman YouTube: @RaisingFamilieswithDrJWResources From Your Host, Laura Ollinger Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching Emotional College Prep for Teen Girls: Register for Positively Healthy University Support the Show: Rate the Positively Healthy Mom podcast here!

    What is the Best Way for Parents to Teach Teens Resilience?

  7. Jun 17 ·  Video

    Parenting a Rose in a Garden of Tulips: Intense, High-Risk Teen Behaviors with Katie May

    What should parents do when a highly sensitive teenager exhibits intense, high-risk emotional behaviors?In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we sit down with Katie May, a licensed therapist, author, speaker, and the founder of Creative Healing—a multi-location teen support center in the Philadelphia area to discuss strategies for parenting teens with self-destructive behaviors. This episode is a must-listen for moms of deeply feeling, highly sensitive teenagers who experience extreme emotional dysregulation and high-risk behaviors, offering practical strategies to move your household from a state of constant crisis into a place of calm and connection. Key Conversations in This Episode: Understanding why some teenagers are genetically hardwired to experience the world with raw, intense emotions, and why traditional parenting advice fails them. A clear breakdown of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), how it differs from traditional CBT, and why it is the gold standard for treating severe emotional reactivity and self-harm in teenagers. How a teen's emotional baseline can get trapped in an ongoing cycle of stress, and how parents can use environmental changes to help them "zero out" and calm down. Concrete advice on how parents can navigate the emotional grief of letting go of the parenting journey they expected so they can show up for the teen they have.Episode 111 Q&A: Why does my teenager explode over seemingly minor issues that shouldn't be a big deal?Highly sensitive teens often experience an accumulation of nervous system stress that never fully returns to baseline. Because they are easily triggered, they get re-activated before they can fully calm down, making minor incidents feel like major crises. Meet Our Expert:Katie May is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), author, speaker, and group practice owner who founded Creative Healing, a specialized center dedicated to supporting teenagers and their families. She specializes in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and is passionate about giving parents the practical toolkits they need to understand their teen's intense inner world and foster long-term resilience.Connect With Katie May Katiekmay.com @katiekmay on IG Purchase Katie’s Book - You’re On Fire, It’s FineResources From Your Host, Laura Ollinger Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching Emotional College Prep for Teen Girls on July 14th, 2026: Register for Positively Healthy University Support the Show: Rate the Positively Healthy Mom podcast here!

    Parenting a Rose in a Garden of Tulips: Intense, High-Risk Teen Behaviors with Katie May

  8. Jun 10 ·  Video

    Before Your Teen Leaves: Dorm Packing & College Prep Tips

    Are you overwhelmed by social media dorm trends and giant retail packing checklists? You are not alone.In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we are breaking down the ultimate guide to college transition prep. We sit down with Lara Becker, founder of The Dorm Guide and author of The Dorm Room Guide, to cut through the consumer noise and focus on what your rising college freshman actually needs for a happy, healthy, realistic and budget-friendly move-in day. Lara shares her expert, practical advice on navigating the emotional "senior summer" rollercoaster, stepping back to let your teen take the lead, and avoiding the over-shopping trap fueled by viral TikTok and Instagram dorm reveals. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why you should throw out standard retail packing lists and what the true essentials are. How to avoid the "Ritz-Carlton" dorm trend and style a functional, comfortable space without overspending. Understanding your teen's complex emotions and back-and-forth behavior before they leave. Practical ways to give your rising college student real responsibility before move-in day. Why a simple measuring tape is your best friend during college visits.Whether you are feeling the emotional weight of letting go or just trying to figure out how to fit your life into an extra-long twin bed setup, this episode is the perfect antidote to back-to-school anxiety. Tune in for an honest, grounded conversation that balances the logistics of packing with the heart of parenting. Support from Host Laura Ollinger: Positively Healthy University - Right now she can handle her schedule, her grades, her responsibilities. What she's still building is the emotional toolkit she'll need when she's on her own. Enroll her in Positively Healthy University today! Connect On Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching Let’s Work Together To Make Your Connection With Your Teen or Young Adult Joyful! Rate this podcast!

    Before Your Teen Leaves: Dorm Packing & College Prep Tips
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About

Mastering Parenting Teenagers with Confidence & Connection Stop nagging and start connecting. The Positively Healthy Mom is the essential resource for moms of teens and preteens who want to navigate the "messy middle" of adolescence without losing themselves. Hosted by Teen & Young Adult Well-Being Coach Laura Ollinger, this podcast is built on a singular truth: a healthy, regulated mother is the secret to a thriving home. Do you find yourself asking: How do I connect with my teen without them shutting down or exploding? How do I support my teen’s mental health and anxiety without making it worse? What do I need to know about the teen brain to communicate better?Every Wednesday, Laura brings you deep-dive conversations with neuroscientists, child therapists, coaches and academic strategists to provide real-time answers to the complex issues families face today. What We Solve Together: Teen Mental Health & Resilience: Research-backed strategies for raising resilient teenagers in high-pressure school and sports environments. Neurobiology & Positive Parenting: Understanding the teen brain to move from a relationship of control to one of deep, lasting connection. Maternal Well-Being & Burnout Recovery: Tactical time management and emotional regulation tools (EFT, HeartMath, and breathwork) to help you reclaim your identity. Digital Wellness: Navigating social media boundaries, cell phone contracts, and screen time. College & Academic Strategy: Expert insights on college admissions and academic pressure.About Your Host:Laura Ollinger is a Teen & Parent Well-Being Coach dedicated to helping moms of teens and tweens thrive. She holds a Master’s in Health and Wellness Education, is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and maintains multiple certifications—including Elite Certified Neuroencoding Specialist, Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach, Dr. Amen Brain Health Trainer, and certification from the HeartMath Institute in Stress, Anxiety, and Emotional Regulation. As a mom of four (two boys and two girls aged 12–16) and the founder of Positively Healthy Coaching, Laura understands firsthand the challenges and rewards of parenting during the teen and tween years. Through her coaching programs and The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast, she equips parents with the mindset, skillset, and self-awareness needed to cultivate confidence, connection, and emotional mastery. Learn more at www.thepositivelyhealthymom.com. Connect with Laura: Web: Positively Healthy Coaching Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching YouTube: The Positively Healthy Mom Channel

Information

  • Creator
    Laura Ollinger, M.Ed. in Health & Wellness | Teen & Parent Well-Being Coach
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    115
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 The Positively Healthy Mom
  • Show Website
    The Positively Healthy Mom