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. 1d ago ·  Video

    Will Your Teen Quit When College Gets Hard? How to Build Academic Resilience Before They Leave with Jewellyn Forrest

    How can parents build academic resilience in teens so they don't quit when college gets hard? In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, I sit down with Jewellyn Forrest, an educational consultant and academic strategist who helps students master learning habits, emotional regulation, and self-coaching skills. If you are a mother of a middle schooler, high schooler, or young adult who wants to help your student transition from relying on parental micromanagement to developing independent learning confidence, this episode is for you. Key Conversations in This Episode Why traditional K–12 study habits collapse under college-level academic pressure Navigating the “Learning Mountain” to overcome feelings of failure and frustration Simple self-coaching techniques teens can use when facing difficult course material Moving parents from homework enforcers to supportive life coachesQuestions & Answers For Moms of Teens & Young AdultsWhy do good high school students often freeze or want to quit when they get to college? Most high school environments teach kids what to learn rather than how to learn. When bright students reach college and encounter complex material that requires real struggle, they mistake normal academic friction for personal failure. Without built-in emotional regulation and active study strategies, they feel overwhelmed, freeze, and want to quit instead of working through the challenge. Meet Our ExpertJewellyn Forrest is an educational consultant, academic strategist, and creator of The Learning Mountain. With over 30 years of classroom experience teaching students from pre-K to college (currently teaching at UT Austin) , Jewellyn specializes in helping students understand how they learn. She makes the learning process visible so academic challenges become a pathway to growth and self-efficacy rather than a signal to give up. Guest Links Website: autonomylearning.com Instagram: @autonomylearning LinkedIn: Jewellyn ForrestConnect With Your Host, Laura Ollinger 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! Work with me!

    Will Your Teen Quit When College Gets Hard? How to Build Academic Resilience Before They Leave with Jewellyn Forrest

  2. Aug 12 ·  Video

    Why Everyone Is Talking About Dysregulation: Real Talk on Teen Stress and Device Usage

    What is nervous system dysregulation in teens, and how does screen time affect teen stress? In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we sit down with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, a therapist, school psychologist, leading expert in emotional regulation, and founder of Regulation First Parenting®. This episode explores how nervous system health directly impacts teen behavior, stress levels, and device habits, providing essential guidance for parents navigating emotional overload in adolescents and young adults. Key Conversations in This Episode: Understanding the root cause of nervous system dysregulation in adolescents How screen time and device overuse overstimulate the brain Why traditional coping strategies fail when a teen's nervous system is dysregulated The vital role of parent co-regulation and micro-moments in restoring household calmQuestions & Answers For Moms of Teens & Young AdultsWhat does nervous system dysregulation actually look like in teens, and why do normal coping strategies stop working when they're stressed?When a teen’s stress cup overflows, dysregulation shows up in very real ways—like being unusually crabby, shutting down, having big emotional meltdowns, or turning to constant screen scrolling to cope. It can even show up physically through sleep issues, gut problems, or skin flare-ups. When their system is overloaded, the frontal lobe—the part of the brain responsible for logic, self-control, and decision-making—literally goes offline. That’s why traditional discipline or relying on standard coping tools fails in the moment. It’s not that your teen doesn't want to calm down; their brain literally can't process or access those strategies until their nervous system feels safe and regulated. Meet Our Expert: Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge is a trusted expert in emotional and behavioral dysregulation, known for helping families calm the brain and create lasting change. She’s the creator of Regulation First Parenting® and the CALMS Dysregulation Protocol®, author of the upcoming book The Dysregulated Kid, and host of a top 1% podcast, Dysregulated Kids, with her work featured in The New York Times, Forbes, and Parents Magazine. Guest Links Website: drroseann.com Book: The Dysregulated Kid Podcast: Dysregulated Kids Podcast Instagram: @drroseann CALM PEMF the FDA Approved mobile port: Calming DeviceConnect With Your Host, Laura Ollinger 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!

    Why Everyone Is Talking About Dysregulation: Real Talk on Teen Stress and Device Usage

  3. Aug 5 ·  Video

    Building an Emotionally Safe Home for Your Teen: Breaking Generational Cycles

    How can parents build self-awareness and break generational patterns to create an emotionally safe home for their teenagers? In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, Laura Ollinger continues the conversation with Stacey Greer, an ICF Professional Certified Coach, Master NLP Practitioner, relationship repair coach, and founder of The Upstream Method and the Family Peace Project. This episode dives into how parents can cultivate real-time self-awareness, reframe childhood memories, and extend self-compassion as they navigate the unpredictable choices of their teenagers. Moms of teens and young adults who want to stop passing on past generational wounds, handle teen decisions without judgment or panic, and create a calm, emotionally safe household will benefit greatly from this episode. Key Conversations in This Episode: How to respond with curiosity and support rather than panic or judgment when teens make unusual life or career announcements. Recognizing how our own unhealed childhood experiences affect our parenting and learning how to avoid passing old patterns down to our children. Using self-awareness and grace to recognize that as we evolve, our capacity and truth as parents continue to deepen. Understanding our own parents' limitations so we can let go of old resentment and show up with more grace for ourselves and our teens.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. GreerConnect 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 Laura a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your review helps other tired, searching moms find our community!

    Building an Emotionally Safe Home for Your Teen: Breaking Generational Cycles

  4. Jul 29 ·  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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    118
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 The Positively Healthy Mom
  • Show Website
    The Positively Healthy Mom