How do mirror neurons and parent co-regulation help de-escalate emotional outbursts and stress in teenagers?

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we dive deep into the science of nervous system regulation, exploring how parents can use their own energetic presence to calm a dysregulated teen, while also providing practical mind-body tools to support competitive teen athletes through injury prevention and intense physical stress.

It is a must-listen for moms navigating high-stress seasons with their teenagers, academic or performance pressures, and the daily chaotic bursts of teen hormones.

Listen in as we sit down with Lisa Danahy, an MS in Yoga Therapy, BA in Psychology, and founder of the non-profit Create Calm, who specializes in evidence-based behavioral and emotional regulation.

• Why telling an upset teenager to "just calm down" backfires, and how to help them access actual nervous system resources instead.
• Understanding the neuroscience behind why emotions are contagious and how an adult's steady presence serves as a physical reflection for a teen's emotional reset.
• A breakdown of a 30-second somatic tool involving movement, body-shaking, and breathwork to instantly exit the primitive stress response.
• How teaching "intense sensation" practices builds physical endurance, prevents joint/bone wear-and-tear, and fosters deep peer communication in competitive sports.

Question: Why do big conversations with my teenager always seem to turn into explosive arguments when we are in the car?

Answer: When parents and teens pile into a car, they are bringing all the bottled-up stress of their respective days into a highly contained space. Because you are physically confined and unable to move or discharge that physical energy, trying to navigate heavy topics relies entirely on words and breath to force the stress out, making the environment literal kindling for an explosive interaction. It is much better to use the car as a low-stakes space for rambling, and save big topics for after you have physically moved and reset.

Lisa Danahy (C-IAYT, YACEP, MS) is a powerful educator, entrepreneur, and Hay House featured author. With an MS in Yoga Therapy, a BA in Psychology, and over 30 years as a school administrator and social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum developer, she is highly skilled at creating accessible, evidence-based training for emotional regulation and resilience. Her non-profit, Create Calm, has facilitated deep healing and mindful programming for thousands of students, teachers, and families across the country since 2016.

• Website: createcalm.org
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisadanahy
• Facebook: Create Calm Page
• Instagram: @create_calm_yoga & @yogalinilisa

Resources From Your Host, Laura Ollinger

• Emotional College Prep Session For Girls: Positively Healthy University
• Book A Coaching Call: Let’s Work It Out!
• Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching

Is your daughter struggling with friendship drama, and are you finding it hard not to jump in and "fix" it for her?

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we sit down with Sheri Gazitt, a global friendship expert and founder of Teen Wise. Sheri brings over 30 years of experience in counseling psychology to help us deconstruct the "mean girl" narrative and understand the developmental roots of social conflict.

This episode is a must-listen for moms of teens and young adults who want to move from being a "White Knight" to a supportive consultant, fostering true independence and resilience in their daughters.

• The "White Knight" Trap: Understanding how stepping in to solve social problems can inadvertently rob your daughter of her independence and confidence.
• Deconstructing the "Mean Girl" Myth: Why most hurtful actions are rooted in a lack of social skills or curiosity rather than malice, and how to reframe this for your teen.
• Managing your "Emotional Backpack": How our own past social traumas can trigger overreactions to our teen’s struggles, and how to stay grounded.
• Scaffolding vs. Fixing: Practical strategies for supporting your daughter through conflict by setting boundaries and teaching communication skills rather than taking the wheel.

Question: How can I tell if I'm helping or "over-parenting" during a friendship dispute?

Answer: If you are contacting other parents or school officials before your daughter has tried to handle it herself, you might be in "fixer" mode. Helping means listening, validating her feelings, and brainstorming ways she can address the situation, rather than doing it for her.

Sheri Gazitt is a global friendship expert, speaker, and founder of Teen Wise. With a background in counseling psychology, she has supported thousands of girls and their families in navigating friendship struggles, social anxiety, and the emotional world of growing up. She is the author of Girl Drama Decoded, and her work helps parents understand what’s really happening beneath the surface of teen social dynamics. On a personal note, Sheri has been married for over 30 years and has three children in their 20s.

Connect with Sheri:

• Website: Teen Wise
• Instagram: @beteenwise
• Facebook: Be Teen Wise
• YouTube: Teen Wise
• LinkedIn: Sheri Gazitt

Resources From Laura Ollinger

• Book A Coaching Call: Let’s Work It Out!
• Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching
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In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we sit down with Shannon Weisblatt, a College Executive Function Coach with over 20 years of experience in education and special education. Shannon specializes in helping students master the "hidden curriculum" of college—time management, organization, and self-advocacy.

This episode is essential for moms of high school juniors and seniors who want to prepare their kids for independence, as well as parents of current college students who are struggling to keep their heads above water academically.

Key Conversations in This Episode:

• The Shift from Manager to Consultant: Why parents should begin "putting on the brakes" during junior year of high school to allow teens to practice autonomy before they leave home.
• Overcoming the Procrastination Loop: Practical strategies for students who are "stuck," including brainstorming sessions to reduce overwhelm and the power of starting an assignment for just five minutes.
• The Role of Natural Consequences: How to reframe a failed assignment or a poor grade as a "beautiful learning opportunity" rather than a catastrophe.
• Outsourcing the Prefrontal Cortex: Understanding the balance between supporting a student’s developing brain and accidentally "hovering" too much.

Question: When should parents start transitioning their role from "manager" to "consultant"?
Answer: Parents should ideally begin this transition during their child's junior year of high school to help them build independence before leaving for college.

Question: What are the best ways to help a college student who struggles with procrastination?
Answer: Effective strategies include breaking assignments into small steps (like a five-minute start rule), brainstorming paper ideas together to reduce overwhelm, and creating a visible plan for the week.

Question: How can parents help their teens learn from failure without being negative?
Answer: Instead of making critical statements, parents can ask open-ended questions such as "How does this make you feel?" or "What could you do differently next time?" to allow the teen to find their own solutions.

Guest Links: efcollegecoach.com
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