Get on Their Turf with Dr. Suzanne Simpson

Dr. Suzanne Simpson

Are you worried about your teen’s anxiety, screen time, or emotional distance? You’re not alone. Get on Their Turf is the parenting podcast that helps you support your child’s mental health and build lasting connection. I’m Dr. Suzanne Simpson, teacher and researcher with 3 decades of experience, and biweekly I share expert interviews, parenting strategies, and real stories from my work in classrooms and a youth psychiatric unit. Episodes explore teen anxiety, depression, screen time struggles, listening without fixing, and spotting early warning signs of stress or crisis. Let’s raise kids who feel safe, seen, and heard—because connection changes everything.

  1. 1D AGO

    How to Stop Yelling at Your Teenager and Keep Your Cool - Ep. 71

    How to Stop Yelling at Your Teenager and Keep Your Cool - Ep. 71 If you've ever lost your temper with your teenager and hated yourself for it afterward, this episode is for you. Samantha Boss is a single mum, a parent coach, and someone who will be the first to tell you she didn't always have it together. She spent years yelling, reacting, and reaching for the wrong things to cope. Then she made a decision to change, not because it was easy, but because her kids needed her to. Today her kids call her when chaos hits them. Not their friends. Her. In this conversation, Samantha and I talk about what it actually takes to stop yelling at your teenager, not just white-knuckling through the hard moments, but doing the deeper work that makes regulation possible in the first place. In this episode: · Why a parent's mood shapes a teenager's emotional safety before a single word is spoken · The number system Samantha used with her kids and why they started using it themselves · What to do when you need to take a break in a fight without it feeling like abandonment · The one question parents ask when they come back after a fight that puts their teenager right back into it · Why parents who swore they'd be different end up repeating the same cycle, and how to actually break it · What Samantha's decade of work on herself produced in her relationship with her kids If you're in the middle of the hard part and wondering whether the work is worth it, this episode will show you what's possible on the other side. Connect with Samantha Boss: https://www.samanthaboss.com/ https://www.instagram.com/theuglytruthofdivorce/ Get on Their Turf with Dr. Suzanne Simpson is an educational podcast for parents who want to connect with their teenagers before crisis hits. My work is grounded in 30 years of experience working with teenagers and doctoral research into what kids actually need from the adults in their lives. Disclaimer: The contents of this podcast are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated. Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. 👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.com Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209 Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

    46 min

  2. MAY 11

    How to Talk to Your Teenager About Screens Without Starting a Fight

    When your teenager won't put the phone down, the fight that follows is rarely really about the phone. In this episode, I walk you through what is actually driving your teenager's resistance, why leading with rules alone makes it worse, and the shift that changes everything: moving from a control mindset to a connection mindset. I have spent 30 years working with teenagers, including five years inside a youth psychiatric unit. What I saw over and over again is that the teens who struggled most with boundaries were not defiant. They were disconnected. And the parents who found their way back to influence were not the ones with the strictest rules. They were the ones who got regulated first. What we cover in this episode: · Why unplugging feels like a genuine threat to your teenager's sense of belonging · How to set firm digital boundaries without damaging the relationship in the process · Why your calm, regulated presence is more powerful than any rule, consequence, or app blocker · The three steps that move you out of the power struggle and into real influence You don't need all the answers to the ever-changing digital world. You need to stay present, stay curious, and lead with connection before you lead with correction. ➜ Free guide: 8 Ways to Get on Your Kid's Turf: www.drsuzannesimpson.com Chapters: 0:40 Why Phone Fights Keep Happening  1:20 The Real Reason Parents Lose Authority  2:00 Why Your Regulation Comes First  2:40 What Cigarettes Teach Us About Phone Culture  3:40 Smartphones and Teen Mental Health  4:25 Step 1: Decide What You Stand For  5:20 Step 2: Be the Leader, Not the Friend  6:20 Step 3: Build Connection Before Conflict  7:15 What Happens When You Hold the Line 8:00 Why This Matters More Than You Think Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. 👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.com Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209 Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

    9 min

  3. APR 27

    The Mask of "Fine": Cea Sunrise Person on Why Teens Hide the Truth

    When your teenager says "I'm fine" but your gut tells you otherwise, you aren't imagining it. In this episode, Dr. Suzanne Simpson sits down with Cea Sunrise Person, bestselling author of North of Normal and Nearly Normal, to talk about the "mask" - the survival strategy many kids use to hide a chaotic or painful home life from the adults around them. Cea grew up off-the-grid in a teepee, moved to a city at 13, and became a high-fashion model in Europe. Behind that success was a child who had become a master at performing "normal" to keep her secrets safe. Her story is one parents and educators need to hear. In this conversation: Why the "good girl" who never causes trouble is often carrying the mostHow social media trains today's teens to perform and hide every single dayWarning signs: extreme people-pleasing and not wanting to go homeHow to respond when your child says "I'm fine" and you know they aren'tThe power of being a "sponge" for your child's pain instead of trying to fix itA key takeaway from this episode: kids don't struggle in adult life because they went through trauma as children. They struggle because they went through it alone. Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. 👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.com Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209 Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

    22 min

  4. APR 13

    How to Support a Teenager with Anxiety: 6 Things That Actually Help

    If your child struggles with anxiety, you are not alone and you are not powerless. In this episode, I share six practical ways to support your teenager with anxiety from the home front. I draw on what I learned the hard way as a parent, and what I brought into my classroom inside a youth psychiatric unit. This is not about being perfect. It is about showing up with the tools that actually work. In this episode: · Why validating your child's anxiety matters more than understanding it · How to create a calm, safe home that actually reduces anxious responses · The questions I wish I had asked my own daughter · When to seek professional support and how to make the most of it as a parent · The three words I used every day in the psychiatric unit that can change everything for your child When you show up with patience, presence, and a willingness to learn, your child does not just feel supported. They feel safe with you. TIMESTAMPS  0:00 Where to start 1:00 Way 1: Validate their anxiety 2:00 What I got wrong with my daughter 3:00 Way 2: Creating a safe home 4:00 Why your tone of voice matters 5:00 When kids don't feel safe at home 6:00 Way 3: Be a learner 7:00 Helping your child through anxious thoughts 8:00 Exposure therapy explained 9:00 Way 4: Ask better questions 10:00 Way 5: Seek professional support 11:00 Medication as one tool 12:00 Way 6: Learn and relearn patience 13:00 Allowing time for the process 14:00 Good enough parenting is enough 15:00 In this moment - three words that change everything 16:00 Closing Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. 👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.com Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209 Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

    15 min

  5. MAR 30

    Why High-Achieving Kids Are Burnt Out, How Parents Can Support Teens Without Pressure

    Parents of high-achieving teens are seeing more anxiety, burnout, and pressure than ever before. If your child is doing well on the outside but struggling underneath, this episode will help you understand why. In this conversation, Dr. Suzanne Simpson sits down with her former student, now 23, to explore the hidden pressure behind achievement culture and what it actually feels like to grow up as a high-achieving, perfectionistic teen. You will hear directly from a young adult who lived it, from striving for top universities to realising how deeply her self-worth became tied to grades, performance, and external validation. In this episode, you will learn:  • Why high-achieving teens often feel constant pressure, even without parents intending it  • How praise and expectations can quietly lead to anxiety and burnout  • The difference between supporting your teen and unintentionally pressuring them  • What teens actually need from parents when they are struggling  • How to build connection so your child feels valued beyond achievement This episode will help you shift from focusing on performance to understanding your child as a whole person, so you can support their well-being without adding more pressure. If you have ever wondered how to help a stressed or perfectionistic teen, this conversation will give you insight you may not hear anywhere else. Follow Get on Their Turf for more research-based strategies to support your teen’s mental health and strengthen your connection. Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. 👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.com Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209 Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

    35 min

  6. MAR 16

    What Teens Actually Need When They Misbehave (It's Not Punishment)

    What do teens actually need when they misbehave? If you have been stuck between being too harsh and too soft, this episode will shift your thinking entirely. In this episode of Get on Their Turf, I share five discoveries from my research on teen behaviour and emotional regulation that completely changed how I think about guiding teenagers. What surprised me most: it wasn't the kids who struggled with the concept of discipline. It was the adults. I spoke with young people from classrooms to a youth psychiatric unit, and not one of them defined discipline as punishment. They defined it as preparation. They wanted guidance, not control. And they wanted the adults in their lives to teach them how to regulate themselves, not just correct them when they got it wrong. Here is what you will learn in this episode: Why teens have fewer negative associations with discipline than most parents expectWhat teens actually said they need when they misbehaveWhy connection before correction determines whether your guidance lands or tears them downWhat a meta-analysis of 150 studies found about emotional regulation and adult outcomesThe one question to ask yourself before you respond to your teen's misbehaviourTeaching teens emotional regulation is not a soft approach to parenting. It is the most research-backed, practical thing you can do to set your child up for success in work, relationships, and life. Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. 👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.com Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209 Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

    12 min

  7. MAR 2

    Parenting Teens: How to Make Life Worth Living Before Crisis Hits

    Does your teen feel disconnected, hopeless, or like they don't belong? What if we stopped waiting for crisis and started building the will to live early? In this episode, I sit down with Kerry Martin - Harvard MPP, attempt survivor, and founder of Foundation for Life - a nonprofit dedicated to going all the way upstream on teen mental wellness. Kerry and I dig into what it actually means to make life worth living for our kids, not just stop them from dying. What you'll learn: Why all children are at risk and why prevention matters more than crisis responseThe five program pillars Foundation for Life uses to hardwire hope and resilience earlyWhat dialectical behaviour therapy is and what parents can use from it at homeWhy being seen, heard, and understood is at the core of every child's will to live➜ Foundation for Life: https://foundationforlife.us ➜ Stay One More Day Movement: https://stayonemovement.org 👉 Subscribe to Get on Their Turf for research-backed tools to help your teen feel safe, seen, and heard. ➜ Free guide: 8 Ways to Get on Your Kid's Turf www.drsuzannesimpson.com Connect with Dr. Suzanne: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/ Disclaimer: Please note that the contents of this podcast are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinions only and have not been scientifically evaluated. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional or a crisis line in your area. Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. 👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.com Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209 Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

    40 min

  8. FEB 16

    Just Me: 5 Hidden Anxiety Signs Parents Miss (And How to Respond with Compassion)

    Is your child calm on the outside but quietly struggling on the inside? What if the behaviours you're calling defiance are actually hidden anxiety? Anxiety doesn't always look the way we expect. Many children and teens appear capable and "fine" while silently battling overwhelming fear. When anxiety is misunderstood, adults often respond with frustration instead of empathy. In this episode, I share five powerful lessons learned through parenting, teaching, and years of working with youth mental health. I explain why anxiety is often hidden, deeply misunderstood, and sometimes expressed physically rather than verbally, and how recognizing the signs can completely change the way we support our children. We talk about: Why anxiety is often misunderstood unless you've experienced itHow teens mask anxiety to appear "normal"The genetic and physical signs adults frequently missThe difference between healthy fear and debilitating anxietyWhen we understand anxiety better, we stop judging behaviour and start responding with compassion, clarity, and support. This conversation offers practical mental health tips for parents navigating anxiety, communication breakdowns, and the teen years. 👉 Get my free guide: "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.com #drsuzannesimpson #getontheirturf Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. 👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.com Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209 Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

    10 min
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About

Are you worried about your teen’s anxiety, screen time, or emotional distance? You’re not alone. Get on Their Turf is the parenting podcast that helps you support your child’s mental health and build lasting connection. I’m Dr. Suzanne Simpson, teacher and researcher with 3 decades of experience, and biweekly I share expert interviews, parenting strategies, and real stories from my work in classrooms and a youth psychiatric unit. Episodes explore teen anxiety, depression, screen time struggles, listening without fixing, and spotting early warning signs of stress or crisis. Let’s raise kids who feel safe, seen, and heard—because connection changes everything.

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