I'm Mel - a Parent Coach & Youth Mentor! I help parents of teenagers shift from old ways of parenting into a completely new way that will transform your relationship with your teen forever. Whether it be; school stress, anxiety, perfectionism, toxic relationships, challenges, arguments, rebellion, and more. I offer tips and advice for parents and for teens!
My methodology is called "The Curious Parenting Method".
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, all information in this podcast is based on life experience and education.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
I'm Mel - a Parent Coach & Youth Mentor! I help parents of teenagers shift from old ways of parenting into a completely new way that will transform your relationship with your teen forever. Whether it be; school stress, anxiety, perfectionism, toxic relationships, challenges, arguments, rebellion, and more. I offer tips and advice for parents and for teens!
My methodology is called "The Curious Parenting Method".
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, all information in this podcast is based on life experience and education.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, I’m joined by the incredible Alisha Wood, high school teacher, teen wellbeing advocate, and founder of Mentoring Young Minds, a Sydney-based tutoring and mentoring company that’s redefining what support for young people looks like.
I loved this chat because Alisha’s mission aligns so strongly with mine: to remind both parents and teens that marks don’t define you, and that when a child feels seen, safe, and supported, anything is possible.
We talk about what led Alisha to start Mentoring Young Minds, how she balances academic tutoring with wellbeing support, and what she’s learned from mentoring students who’ve struggled with school refusal, anxiety, and self-doubt.
You’ll also hear about her Head Start to High School program, designed to help kids transition smoothly from Year 6 to Year 7, especially those who are neurodivergent or find big changes overwhelming.
This conversation is full of warmth, honesty, and hope — and it’s a beautiful reminder that success doesn’t have just one path.
Instagram: @mentoring.young.minds
Follow @melwhiteparentcoach on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook for more conversations that help parents and teens truly understand each other.
Listen to Your Parent Coach wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share this episode with another parent who needs to hear that there’s always another way.
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In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Your Parent Coach, I sit down with licensed therapist and teen expert Katie K. May, founder of Creative Healing Teen Support Centres and author of You're on fire, it's fine. Katie has helped thousands of teens navigate depression, anxiety, and self-harm and today, she joins me to share her insights on how parents can best support their highly emotional teens.
We unpack what it really means to parent a “Fire Feeler” - a teen who feels deeply, reacts intensely, and often struggles to regulate big emotions. Katie shares practical, compassionate tools for parents to move from frustration and confusion to empathy and connection.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Why You’ll Love This Episode:
If you’re a parent who feels like you’re walking on eggshells around your teen, this episode is your guide to stepping into compassion, calm, and curiosity. Our conversation is both validating and practical offering real-world tools to help you parent with understanding instead of urgency.
Connect with Katie K. May:
Instagram: @katiekaymay
Visit Katie's website for free resources: https://www.youreonfireitsfine.com/
Connect with Mel White:
Instagram: @melwhiteparentcoach
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In this episode, I sit down with Wayne Holdsworth, founder of SmackTalk, to talk about transforming grief into action, the importance of real human connection, and how we can all play a part in saving lives through better listening.
We cover:
UPCOMING Event – UNPLUG24 (24 October 2025)
Wayne’s charity, SmackTalk, is calling on people across Australia (and beyond) to step away from social media for 24 hours on Friday, 24 October 2025 — as a day of reflection, reconnection, and awareness-raising.
➡️ Sign up and learn more at: https://www.unplug24.smacktalk.com.au
Whether you fundraise or just take the break, your participation helps fund SmackTalk’s vital education programs to combat sexual extortion and suicide. smacktalk.com.au
Resources & Links:
SmackTalk website: www.smacktalk.com.au
Lifeline - 13 11 14
Beyond blue - 1300 224 636
Content Warning:
This episode discusses suicide, loss, bullying, and sexual extortion. If you or anyone you know is in crisis, please reach out to Lifeline (13 11 14), Beyond Blue (1300 224 636), or other mental health support services.
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In this special reflective episode, Jess takes over the mic to interview Mel about a viral AI trend that inspired her to reconnect with her younger self — literally. The trend merges a person’s current photo with one from childhood, creating a powerful image that sparks self-reflection and inner child conversations.
Mel shares what it was like to see her “Little Mel” photo, what emotions came up, and what she’d say if her younger self were sitting across from her today.
Together, Mel and Jess explore themes of self-belief, perfectionism, growth, and the importance of staying curious — even as adults.
This episode is a heartwarming invitation to slow down, look back, and reflect on how far you’ve come. You’ll also learn how to try the trend yourself (with or without AI!) and how to turn it into a meaningful activity with your teen or family.
In this episode:
✨ What Mel was like as “Little Mel” — and what she dreamed of becoming
✨ The parenting advice she’d give her own parents if she could
✨ The biggest lesson she’s still learning from childhood
✨ Why “it’s okay to fail” might be the most important message we can teach kids
✨ How to create your own “you + younger you” photo reflection
✨ Turning reflection into a family conversation
Resources mentioned:
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In this episode of Your Parent Coach, I’m joined by educator-turned-entrepreneur, speaker, and soon-to-be author Colleen Souza. With decades of experience in teaching, leadership, parenting, and life, Colleen is bringing her warmth and humour to share the lessons behind her upcoming book, Living by the Mantras: Common Sense Wisdom for an Extraordinary Life.
We explore how Colleen distilled years of parenting and classroom experience into 21 powerful mantras that help young people—and parents—navigate choices, resilience, self-belief, and intentional living. From playful phrases like “Keep your pants on” to heartwarming reminders such as “Always stop at the lemonade stand,” Colleen shows how simple, memorable words can anchor kids (and adults) in wisdom and connection.
Some of the key insights from this conversation include:
This conversation is packed with wisdom for parents raising tweens and teens, educators looking for practical tools, or anyone who wants to bring more positivity, resilience, and intentionality into family life.
Visit www.melwhiteparentcoach.com for more support.
✨ Colleen’s new book, Living by the Mantras, launches in late October - pre-order here.
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In this weeks episode I am talking about - friendship transitions, which are some of the hardest challenges that teens face.
Whether it’s their best friend moving away, your family relocating, or the big leap from primary school to high school without their close friends, these shifts can feel like their whole world has been turned upside down.
I will break down three common scenarios where teens experience major friendship changes and share how you, as a parent, can support them through the grief, anxiety, and uncertainty that comes with it.
You’ll learn:
These moments can feel like the end of the world for a teen, but with your validation, guidance, and encouragement, they’ll learn that while friendships may change, their ability to connect and belong stays with them.
👉 If you find this episode helpful, share it with another parent of teens, and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @melwhiteparentcoach and @yourparentcoachpodcast for more tools and insights.
Chat soon!
www.melwhiteparentcoach.com
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Welcome back to a brand new season of Your Parent Coach! 🎉 In this quick mini-episode, I’m diving into practical strategies you and your teen can use to stay calm, connected, and in control during heated moments.
You’ll learn:
Whether you’re navigating teen pushback or just wanting smoother communication at home, these tools will help you build trust, reduce conflict, and bring more calm into your parenting journey.
✨ If you found this episode helpful, share it with another parent and follow me on Instagram @melwhiteparentcoach and @yourparentcoachpodcast.
*Apologies for the audio mic popping at the beginning*
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Anxiety in teens is more common than many parents realise, and it doesn’t always look like worry. Sometimes it shows up as irritability, defiance, or withdrawal. In this episode of Your Parent Coach, I sit down with Sophia Vale Galano, a licensed clinical social worker and author of the upcoming book Calming Teenage Anxiety: A Parent's Guide to Helping Your Teenager Cope with Worry (releasing September 30, 2025).
Sophia shares compassionate, practical strategies for parents who want to better understand and support their anxious teens.
We explore:
✨ The subtle signs of teen anxiety parents often miss
✨ Why “just relax” isn’t helpful—and what to say instead
✨ How academic, social, and daily pressures are impacting teens today
✨ Simple ways to create a calmer home environment
✨ When it’s time to seek professional help—and how to approach the conversation
Whether your teen is navigating school stress, social challenges, or just the overwhelm of daily life, this conversation will give you tools and confidence to support them with empathy.
Links:
Pre-order Sophia’s book Calming Teenage Anxiety (available September 30, 2025).
Follow Sophia on Instagram
Visit her website https://sophiagalano.com/
Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwhiteparentcoach
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TRIGGER WARNING: Discussion around suicide, mental illness and self-harm.
Despite more counsellors, resources, and “expert” advice than ever before, rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide in teens keep climbing. So… what’s going wrong? And what actually helps?
In this episode, I’m joined by Will Dobud — therapist, researcher, parent, and co-author of the upcoming book Kids These Days: Understanding and Supporting Youth Mental Health — to explore why our current approaches to teen mental health are missing the mark, and how we can shift from “fixing” to truly supporting our young people.
We dive into:
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just someone who cares about the next generation, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and leave you with hope and tools you can use today.
Links & Resources:
Please like, share and subscribe.
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Do you ever feel like you’re failing - not just yourself, but your teenager too? You’re not alone. In this heartfelt episode of Your Parent Coach, I’m unpacking the real reasons parents feel this way, why comparison is the thief of joy, and how to challenge the negative thoughts that creep in.
You’ll learn:
Whether your teen is slamming doors, giving you the silent treatment, or throwing out words that sting, this episode gives you practical tools to respond with clarity and compassion — without losing yourself in the process.
Resources:
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In this solo episode of Your Parent Coach, Mel dives into the often-misunderstood world of teen study stress — and how understanding your teen’s learning style can unlock better support, communication, and calm at home.
I introduce my brand new Study Creature Quiz — a playful yet powerful tool designed to help parents (and teens) uncover their unique study styles. From the high-speed “Zippy” to the perfectionist “Blip,” each creature reflects a different way our kids approach learning and school-related stress.
By exploring these character types, it can help you decode what's really behind that last-minute panic, missed assignment, or “lazy” afternoon, and how to respond with curiosity, not criticism.
Whether your child is a creative thinker, a meticulous planner, or a social study-buddy, this episode will help you:
l also share practical tools, real-life examples from MY coaching, and how to reflect on your own learning style to connect better as a family.
✨ Take the Study Creature Quiz here: https://form.typeform.com/to/W0lAnkCp
📲 Follow Me on Instagram for Study the Creature breakdowns: @melwhiteparentcoach
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In this value-packed episode, I'm joined by financial coach and author Scott Yamamura, who’s on a mission to make money talk feel less like “talking about your underwear” (his words!) and more like an everyday skill we all need to pass down. We explore why financial literacy starts at home—and how to talk about money with your kids, even if you never learned it yourself.
From simple investment principles to building a custodial account with your teen, Scott breaks down his signature Three Financial Epiphanies that every parent and teen should know. This episode will change how you think about saving, spending, and investing—and it might just double your teen’s financial confidence (and their savings!).
You’ll learn:
Whether your teen is dreaming of college, a first job, or financial freedom, this episode is your blueprint to help them get there—with clarity and confidence.
🔗 Scott’s free financial starter guide + more:
https://www.financialepiphany.com
Book: Financial Epiphany by Scott Yamamura
🎧 Like the episode? Share it with a fellow parent and help us build financially empowered families.
Don't forget to follow, rate, and review!
Disclaimer:
The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as financial advice. The views expressed by Scott Yamamura are his own and do not constitute professional financial services or recommendations.
Neither Mel White nor Your Parent Coach is a licensed financial advisor, and this podcast does not provide, nor should it be construed as, financial planning, investment advice, or tax guidance. Always consult a qualified financial advisor or other professional regarding your specific financial situation before making any financial decisions.
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In this timely episode, I sit down with Shellee Howard, founder of College Ready, to dive deep into how parents can truly support their teens through the college preparation and application journey, without burning them out or blowing the relationship.
We chat about:
This one is especially valuable for all parents, even if you are not in the US, the emotional and practical insights are universal.
Links Mentioned:
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In this week's episode of Your Parent Coach, I’m joined by Monica Browning — internationally respected parenting coach, author, and single mom of two teenagers. Often called the “child whisperer” Monica brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the complex, courageous journey of parenting teens solo.
We explore what it really means to raise teens as a single parent — the strength it takes, the myths we need to bust, and the support that actually makes a difference.
In this episode, Monica shares:
This conversation is filled with truth, tenderness, and tools you can take with you — no matter your parenting situation.
🎧 Tune in now to feel seen, supported, and reminded that you’re not alone.
Connect with Monica Browning:
https://www.homeandharmonyparenting.com/connectedparent
https://www.homeandharmonyparenting.com/links-monicabrowning
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In this powerful episode of Your Parent Coach, I sit down with Justin Kelly — youth mentor, martial arts coach, and co-founder of the Bully-Proof movement — to explore what it really takes to raise confident, resilient teens in today’s world.
What began as a father-son project quickly grew into a shared mission to help other kids build the confidence to face life head-on. He credits everything to his son, and their partnership has become the heartbeat of the Bully-Proof program.
In this episode, we talk about:
Justin reminds us that raising strong teens isn’t about forcing toughness — it’s about modelling belief, emotional resilience, and real connection.
📚 Get the book:
Bully Proof: Unleash the Hero Within
🔗 Follow:
Instagram: @bully.proofing
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bullyproof0
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In this inspiring and down-to-earth episode, I get on the Mic with Brian Parana – dad of four, husband, health coach, living a life filled with travel, connection, modern parenting.
Brian shares how he and his wife are raising four unique kids – with an intentional mix of structure and adaptability. With a combined 50-state family travel adventure under their belt (and now aiming for all 7 continents!), Brian brings a joyful and grounded perspective on parenting, health, and being a present partner and dad.
What We Talk About:
Connect with Brian:
🌐 Website: www.thecalltorise.com
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachbrianparana/
Stay Connected with Mel:
📸 Instagram: @melwhiteparentcoach
🌐 Website: www.melwhiteparentcoach.com
🎧 Don’t forget to rate and review the show – and share this episode with a fellow parent doing their best to juggle life, kids, and their own cup!
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Is your teen pulling away—or are you holding on too tight? In this episode, we dive deep into the urge to micromanage our teens: where it comes from, how it impacts their confidence, and what you can do to shift into a more trusting, connected parenting space.
You’ll learn:
If you’ve ever hovered over homework, double-checked every text, or felt panic when your teen doesn’t follow your plan—this one’s for you.
🎧 Tune in now and start building a home where trust and independence thrive.
Need extra support? Connect with me on social media @melwhiteparentcoach
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In this episode I explore the common parenting struggle of falling into “good cop” and “bad cop” roles—and how this dynamic can quietly shape your teen’s behaviour and emotional safety.
Whether you're always the one saying "no," or you're keeping the peace at all costs, this episode unpacks:
Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwhiteparentcoach
Loved this episode? Share it, subscribe, and DM Mel with your biggest takeaway!
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Are sleepovers still a rite of passage or a relic of the past? In this episode, we explore why many parents are saying "hard no" to sleepovers — and how you can shift that stance without compromising your values or your teen’s safety. If your teen has just started asking, this one's for you.
As always, let's connect - www.melwhiteparentcoach.com
@melwhiteparentcoach - socials.
Chat soon!
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In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Amy, a branding expert and mum of two boys—one in high school and one still in primary school—to talk about one of the realest parenting struggles: how your own teenage experiences can unintentionally shape (and sometimes limit) how you raise your kids.
We dive into:
This is one of those honest, soul-tapping chats that will leave you feeling seen, reassured, and inspired to reflect on why you parent the way you do.
CONNECT WITH AMY:
Instagram: @vacraftedstudio
Connect with Mel:
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