All Episodes
Mother's Day <3
Why is Mother's Day in May? And is there a better time? Not really--there's no time of year when moms are just chilling. Pick any month and they're carrying so much. A...
You’re Doing Better than You Think
A closing reflection on what it actually means to parent teenagers in the long, messy middle.This episode isn’t about doing more or fixing anything. It’s about noticin...
When It’s Hard
Parenting teenagers isn’t just challenging—it can be exhausting. Even when you’re doing everything “right,” some seasons are simply hard.In this episode of Plot Twist ...
Unconditional: Presence Without Prerequisites
What does unconditional love actually look like in the messy, emotional, real-life work of parenting teenagers?In this episode, Julie explores the fifth and foundation...
Joy on Purpose
Consider this plot twist: Joy might be the most overlooked lifeline in the teen years--for parents and for teens. To say it another way: joy is serious business. You’l...
Trusting Teens (no, really)
Consider this plot twist: a surprising shift that transforms parenting: moving from teaching teens “everything” to trusting them to learn, commit, and grow. You’ll hea...
Being Trustable as a Parent
Before we can ask our teens to trust us, we have to be trustable. In this episode, Julie shares real conversations with her kids about what earned their trust—and what...
Truth and Parenting Teens
What do you really value as a family—and are you living it out in daily life? Truth, the second core practice, is all about clarity and alignment: What do we value, an...
Date Day
Connection is one of the five practices that can radically change parenting teenagers. BUT HOW? How do you connect with a cranky teen, or after a hardship? Or just thr...