Teen Whisperer Podcast: Understanding Behavioural Messages in Girls

Rach Friedli - Girls Mental Health & Behaviour Specialist

Parenting support for strengthening your mother daughter relationship starts here. Learn how to understand adolescent behaviour. Whether your daughter is a tween, teen or young woman - and you  want to understand what the frigg is really going on beneath the tricky behaviour and big emotions, this is the podcast for you. Discover what’s really going on so you can stop second guessing, feel confident again and improve your mother/daughter relationship with your daughter.  Too often we're told it's "just" hormones, emotions or that they're too sensitive. But what if I told you there's something else at play? Something no one talks about - the body sending messages through behaviour. These are natural responses to an unnatural world, and when you understand them, you can start responding with insight not frustration.  Shocked, inspired, eyes wide open - that's what I want for you. To realise that so much of what we've been told about parenting is a lie, wrapped up in control, pressure and guilt. The world isn't set up for our girls - yes even now - but there is a different way. A way that puts understanding, connection and community first. A way that helps you see the root cause, understand what's happening and know exactly what you can do in the moment.   Let's make this a revolution - one episode at a time - so our girls grow up feeling seen, safe and capable... and we can stop trying to parent from fear and start parenting from insight. 

  1. 2D AGO

    What Freeze Actually Looks Like in Girls and Why We Often Miss It: Understanding Girls' Mental Health

    Send a text If you believe anxiety in girls only looks like panic and restlessness, think again.  In this episode, I explore an often overlooked aspect of girls' mental health: the freeze response. When your daughter can't get out of bed, refuses to eat, or becomes withdrawn and silent, it’s not laziness, it's a biological survival mechanism known as the dorsal vagal shutdown. I'll help you understand adolescent behaviour better by showing why freeze is frequently mistaken for depression or typical teenage moodiness, and why traditional encouragement might actually worsen this state. This episode also offers parenting support strategies centred on recognising the signals your daughter's nervous system sends and how low-demand presence can help with recovery. If your mother daughter relationship is strained because your teen has pulled away, this episode will give you the insight to respond with compassion and practical understanding. Join us as we uncover the truth behind behavioural messages in girls and provide tools to strengthen your connection and support your daughter's mental health journey. Resources mentioned: Check out my website for more details  And listen, if you’re sitting there thinking “I need more than this podcast episode”, I’m running a live webinar tonight - 19th February at 7pm GMT. It’s free. It’s 45 minutes. And I’m going to teach you exactly what freeze looks like, why we miss it, and what actually helps. You’ll also get to connect with other mums who are in the exact same place. So if you want in, grab your spot here. Spaces are limited because I want to keep it interactive, so if you’re thinking about it, just register now.   Want to talk it through? Book a free chat - sometimes just saying it out loud is the first step. Wish your daughter had her own podcast to help understand what’s going on? Send her to Girl You’ve Got This - available on all major platforms. Don’t forget to subscribe so you’re the first to get new episodes, and leave a review - it helps other mums find the podcast too. See you next time! 💛

    13 min
  2. FEB 11

    It's Not Just Hormones: Understanding Girls' Mental Health Through Their Nervous System

    Send a text Your daughter slams the door, stops eating, or withdraws to her room for hours. Everyone tells you it’s just hormones, but what if the root cause is her nervous system influencing girls' mental health and adolescent behaviour?  This episode offers essential parenting support by helping you decode behavioural messages through understanding the four nervous system states (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) in teenage girls. Learn how to spot these states and transform your mother daughter relationship by responding with empathy and insight rather than frustration. Discover why anger and defiance aren't simply disrespect, why constant busyness isn't addiction, and how people-pleasing stems from deep safety needs rather than being "easy." Plus, get a simple, practical script to use when behaviours challenge you. If you're tired of the "it's just puberty" excuse and want to support your daughter’s mental health more effectively, this foundational episode is for you. Resources mentioned: Download the free 60 Second Reset at theteenwhisperer.co.uk And listen, if you’re sitting there thinking “I need more than this podcast episode”, I’m running a live webinar tonight - 19th February at 7pm GMT. It’s free. It’s 45 minutes. And I’m going to teach you exactly what freeze looks like, why we miss it, and what actually helps. You’ll also get to connect with other mums who are in the exact same place. So if you want in, grab your spot here. Spaces are limited because I want to keep it interactive, so if you’re thinking about it, just register now.   Want to talk it through? Book a free chat - sometimes just saying it out loud is the first step. Wish your daughter had her own podcast to help understand what’s going on? Send her to Girl You’ve Got This - available on all major platforms. Don’t forget to subscribe so you’re the first to get new episodes, and leave a review - it helps other mums find the podcast too. See you next time! 💛

    11 min
  3. FEB 4

    What's Behind The Behaviour: Understanding Girls' Mental Health When They Are in Freeze

    Send a text If your daughter's behaviour feels confusing, unpredictable, or out of character, and you're constantly wondering, "Why is she like this?" this episode offers a transformative reframe that changes everything. Behaviour isn't random; it's a powerful signal from the nervous system, especially in girls' mental health and adolescent behaviour contexts. When girls enter a freeze state, their brain, body, and emotions collaborate to protect them from overwhelm, not to push you away.  I break down what freeze looks like in real life, the physiological changes happening during shutdown, why traditional logic and consequences may fail, and how to support regulation effectively without pushing or fixing. This episode provides essential parenting support to mothers who want to improve their mother daughter relationship by understanding behavioural messages deeply. You’ll gain clarity and reduce fear as you learn to see behaviour as the messenger, not the problem.  Perfect for mums raising girls who seem distant, flat, or overwhelmed underneath it all. And listen, if you’re sitting there thinking “I need more than this podcast episode”, I’m running a live webinar tonight - 19th February at 7pm GMT. It’s free. It’s 45 minutes. And I’m going to teach you exactly what freeze looks like, why we miss it, and what actually helps. You’ll also get to connect with other mums who are in the exact same place. So if you want in, grab your spot here. Spaces are limited because I want to keep it interactive, so if you’re thinking about it, just register now.   Want to talk it through? Book a free chat - sometimes just saying it out loud is the first step. Wish your daughter had her own podcast to help understand what’s going on? Send her to Girl You’ve Got This - available on all major platforms. Don’t forget to subscribe so you’re the first to get new episodes, and leave a review - it helps other mums find the podcast too. See you next time! 💛

    12 min
  4. JAN 28

    Why Encouragement Backfires: Understanding Freeze Response in Girls' Mental Health

    Send a text If your daughter often shuts down when you offer encouragement, withdraws when things get difficult, or loses motivation under pressure, this episode is essential listening for you.  I explore the ins and outs of girls' mental health and the freeze response that can cause teenage behaviour to seem like defiance or laziness. Discover why the common phrase "You've got this" can sometimes deepen her shutdown and what the freeze response feels like within her body and mind.  I discuss how overwhelm affects her confidence and self-belief, why avoidance is often a form of protection rather than rebellion, and most importantly, how to rebuild her confidence through parenting support that emphasizes safety and patience.  This episode provides a nervous-system-led reframe designed to strengthen the mother-daughter relationship without pressure, helping you understand the behavioural messages your daughter is sending.  By tuning in, you'll learn how to support your girl's mental health and foster growth with empathy and insight, paving the way for a stronger, more connected relationship. And listen, if you’re sitting there thinking “I need more than this podcast episode”, I’m running a live webinar tonight - 19th February at 7pm GMT. It’s free. It’s 45 minutes. And I’m going to teach you exactly what freeze looks like, why we miss it, and what actually helps. You’ll also get to connect with other mums who are in the exact same place. So if you want in, grab your spot here. Spaces are limited because I want to keep it interactive, so if you’re thinking about it, just register now.   Want to talk it through? Book a free chat - sometimes just saying it out loud is the first step. Wish your daughter had her own podcast to help understand what’s going on? Send her to Girl You’ve Got This - available on all major platforms. Don’t forget to subscribe so you’re the first to get new episodes, and leave a review - it helps other mums find the podcast too. See you next time! 💛

    12 min
  5. JAN 21

    Why Phone Battles Miss What's Really Going On: Understanding Girls' Mental Health and Behaviour

    Send a text If screens are the biggest fight in your house and conversations about phones end in shutdown or silence, this episode is for you.  I dive deep into girls mental health and adolescent behaviour to uncover why phone battles often miss the real issues underneath.  Rather than banning phones, I explore how behavioural messages manifest through freeze responses and why phones become an important coping mechanism for overwhelmed girls. Learn why phone detoxes can backfire, how freeze behaviour shows up as avoidance or withdrawal, and what screens are doing for her nervous system.  I'll share practical parenting support strategies to reduce tech battles without power struggles and reveal one simple mother-daughter activity that builds safety without forced conversation. This body-first approach helps mums understand the root causes of behaviour and fosters connection, not control. Tune in to shift your perspective and improve your mother daughter relationship by responding with insight rather than frustration. And listen, if you’re sitting there thinking “I need more than this podcast episode”, I’m running a live webinar tonight - 19th February at 7pm GMT. It’s free. It’s 45 minutes. And I’m going to teach you exactly what freeze looks like, why we miss it, and what actually helps. You’ll also get to connect with other mums who are in the exact same place. So if you want in, grab your spot here. Spaces are limited because I want to keep it interactive, so if you’re thinking about it, just register now.   Want to talk it through? Book a free chat - sometimes just saying it out loud is the first step. Wish your daughter had her own podcast to help understand what’s going on? Send her to Girl You’ve Got This - available on all major platforms. Don’t forget to subscribe so you’re the first to get new episodes, and leave a review - it helps other mums find the podcast too. See you next time! 💛

    13 min
  6. JAN 14

    Reset Routines That Actually Work: Supporting Girls' Mental Health Through Parenting

    Send a text If your teen rolls her eyes, says “yeah yeah,” or shuts down the moment you try to help, this episode on girls' mental health and adolescent behaviour is for you. We’re not talking about forcing her to do things. Instead, we explore real, body-led behavioural messages that lower stress, ease resistance, and create calm in your home, effective parenting support that works even when she refuses everything you suggest. You’ll learn how to: Shape routines around her nervous system, not against itUse sleep, daylight, movement, and breath to regulate yourself and the householdSupport her capacity without power struggles or argumentsRecognise progress in moments of neutrality, not complianceThis episode is designed especially for mums feeling exhausted after trying all the traditional strategies who want practical ways to lead with compassion and strengthen the mother-daughter relationship. We also touch on how support communities like WTF, for mums of girls needing understanding and parenting support, can help you feel less alone while navigating resistance, shutdowns, and eye-rolls. Because sometimes, the best way to help your teen's mental health is to start with yourself. And listen, if you’re sitting there thinking “I need more than this podcast episode”, I’m running a live webinar tonight - 19th February at 7pm GMT. It’s free. It’s 45 minutes. And I’m going to teach you exactly what freeze looks like, why we miss it, and what actually helps. You’ll also get to connect with other mums who are in the exact same place. So if you want in, grab your spot here. Spaces are limited because I want to keep it interactive, so if you’re thinking about it, just register now.   Want to talk it through? Book a free chat - sometimes just saying it out loud is the first step. Wish your daughter had her own podcast to help understand what’s going on? Send her to Girl You’ve Got This - available on all major platforms. Don’t forget to subscribe so you’re the first to get new episodes, and leave a review - it helps other mums find the podcast too. See you next time! 💛

    11 min
  7. 12/31/2025

    Parenting Support: What You Got Right This Year (Even If It Doesn't Feel Like It)

    Send us a text If you’re ending this year feeling tired, emotional, and quietly wondering whether you’ve messed it all up as a mum, this episode is for you. It includes parenting support and ways to improve your mother/daughter relationship. Not to fix you. Not to tell you to “be more grateful”. And definitely not to add another thing to your already full plate. This is a pause. In this year-end episode of The Teen Whisperer, I gently unpack why guilt gets so loud for mums and why that guilt isn’t a sign you’re failing, but a nervous system under pressure. We talk about: why your daughter’s big emotions aren’t bad behaviour, but communicationhow guilt shows up in your thoughts, your body, and your parentingwhy labels and “fixing” often miss what girls actually needhow stress, hormones, and exhaustion amplify self-doubtand how calm and confidence return when we lead with physiology before psychologyAnd finally, we gently bridge into January because change doesn’t happen overnight, and you’re not doing it wrong if things don’t magically improve on January 1st. 🎧 Press play if you need reassurance, grounding, and a reminder that you’re doing better than you think. Want to talk it through? Book a free chat - sometimes just saying it out loud is the first step. Wish your daughter had her own podcast to help understand what’s going on? Send her to Girl You’ve Got This - available on all major platforms. Don’t forget to subscribe so you’re the first to get new episodes, and leave a review - it helps other mums find the podcast too. See you next time! 💛

    13 min

About

Parenting support for strengthening your mother daughter relationship starts here. Learn how to understand adolescent behaviour. Whether your daughter is a tween, teen or young woman - and you  want to understand what the frigg is really going on beneath the tricky behaviour and big emotions, this is the podcast for you. Discover what’s really going on so you can stop second guessing, feel confident again and improve your mother/daughter relationship with your daughter.  Too often we're told it's "just" hormones, emotions or that they're too sensitive. But what if I told you there's something else at play? Something no one talks about - the body sending messages through behaviour. These are natural responses to an unnatural world, and when you understand them, you can start responding with insight not frustration.  Shocked, inspired, eyes wide open - that's what I want for you. To realise that so much of what we've been told about parenting is a lie, wrapped up in control, pressure and guilt. The world isn't set up for our girls - yes even now - but there is a different way. A way that puts understanding, connection and community first. A way that helps you see the root cause, understand what's happening and know exactly what you can do in the moment.   Let's make this a revolution - one episode at a time - so our girls grow up feeling seen, safe and capable... and we can stop trying to parent from fear and start parenting from insight.