What if the bravest thing a parent can do is listen without trying to fix? Teri Potter and Catherine Borgman-Arboleda sit down with Catherine's daughter, Caya, who has lived the realities of anxiety, addiction, and the mental health system. Her candour cuts through platitudes as she explains how algorithms fuel risk, why peer groups often shape choices more than families, and what actually helps when a teen is spiralling: non‑judgmental curiosity, consistent safety, and love that doesn’t withdraw when the truth gets messy. We dig into the hard stuff many households whisper about. Addiction is framed not as a failure but as an adaptation to pain, with ACEs research offering context for compassionate responses. We examine treatment models from wilderness therapy to long outpatient programmes, naming both helpful tools and harmful dynamics like level hierarchies, punitive silencing, and snitch‑for‑privilege cultures. Along the way, we challenge how diagnoses can box in young people, especially when culture, race, language, and family stress are ignored. Instead, we advocate for care that protects agency, invites choice, and treats dignity as a clinical intervention. There’s grounded hope here too. We talk about simple self‑care rituals—music, running, walking, being in nature—that steady the nervous system and make room for honest conversation. We celebrate mentors who show up as humans, parents who apologise and stay, and a generation that speaks more openly with less shame. If you’re a parent, carer, or professional looking for practical ways to connect with a struggling teen—and language that keeps the door open—this conversation offers clarity and courage you can use today. If this resonated, follow the show, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help more families find these tools. Your stories and questions shape what we explore next—what’s the one thing you want us to unpack? TERI Website: https://teripotter.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teripotterpathways/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teripotterpathways teri@teripotter.com CATHERINE Website: https://www.collaborative-insights.com/conscious-coaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collaborative_insights_coach/ catherine@collaborative-insights.com Resources: - Conscious Parenting (Dr. Shefali Tsabary) - Compassionate Inquiry (Dr. Gabor Maté, Sat Dharam Kaur) Here are a few international resources: United States: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or text HOME to 741741 United Kingdom: Samaritans: 116 123 Canada: Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 Australia: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 International Helplines: Please visit www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html for a full list of helplines worldwide. https://www.helpguide.org/find-help Please remember, there is always support available, and reaching out can be the first step in finding help. You are not alone, and support is there for you and your family. ...
