• 72 | Leaning into God for Faith Over Fear in Parenting with Heather O’Brien
    Nov 4 2025

    Hi Parents!

    Parenting through fear can feel overwhelming, especially when your teen is anxious and you’re trying to stay strong for everyone. But what if the real key to peace isn’t found in control, but in trust - trusting that God is guiding both you and your teen through every step?

    In this episode, I’m joined by Heather O’Brien, prophetic healing coach, minister, author, and host of the globally ranked Heal with God podcast. Together, we talk about how to lean into faith when fear feels loud, and how parents can model courage, calm, and confidence by anchoring themselves in God’s truth.

    Heather shares how to discern God’s voice in everyday moments, the role of gratitude and prayer in easing anxiety, and how self-awareness can help you respond to your teen with love instead of fear. We also explore what it looks like to break anxious patterns by listening, slowing down, and allowing God to lead both you and your family toward healing.

    More About Heather:

    Heather O’Brien helps Christians heal by learning to hear God’s voice. She guides people toward forgiveness, spiritual restoration, and deeper connection with God, reminding us that through Him, even the deepest wounds can be healed.

    She also hosts a workshop every third Monday of the month. It’s an opportunity to lay down the things that keep you feeling anxious or uncertain and invite God to bring healing and clarity into your heart.

    If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing this parenting thing on your own, this conversation will remind you that faith doesn’t remove the fear - it transforms it.

    Big hugs,

    Monica Crnogorac

    Next Steps

    Book a Free Discovery Call

    Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program

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    45 mins
  • 71 | Helping Your Teen Navigate Sibling Rivalry and Peer Drama with Dr. Rosina McAlpine
    Oct 28 2025

    Hi Parents!

    Sibling rivalry. Friend drama. Conflict that seems to pop up out of nowhere. For parents of teens, it can feel exhausting and confusing to know how much to intervene or when to step back.

    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Rosina McAlpine, parenting expert, author, and CEO of Win Win Parenting, to explore why sibling and peer rivalry happens, and how we can guide our teens through it without adding fuel to the fire.

    Dr. Rosina shares insights from research that reveal the three main ways kids resolve conflict - coercion, negotiation, and disengagement - and explains why teens often use very different approaches with siblings compared to friends. We also dive into the fascinating role of birth order, what to watch out for when rivalry crosses into bullying, and the values-based strategies parents can use to help their teens build healthier, stronger relationships.

    More About Dr. Rosina:

    Dr. Rosina McAlpine is an internationally recognized parenting expert, author, and CEO of Win Win Parenting. Through her workplace parenting education programs, she helps busy working parents balance career and family life while navigating everyday parenting challenges such as screen time, emotional regulation, and sibling conflict. Dr. Rosina’s practical, evidence-based approach has been featured widely in the media, and her programs support parents, carers, and educators across Australia and beyond.

    If you’ve ever worried about constant bickering at home or felt unsure how to help your teen manage peer tension, this episode offers both practical tools and a sense of relief that you’re not alone in facing these challenges.

    Big hugs,

    Monica Crnogorac

    Next Steps

    Book a Free Discovery Call

    Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program

    Connect With Me on Instagram

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    51 mins
  • 69 | Why Teens Self-Harm and What Parents Can Do to Help
    Oct 14 2025

    Hi Parents!

    Have you ever wondered why some teens turn to self-harm when they’re in pain?

    For parents, even the thought of your teen hurting themselves can feel overwhelming and terrifying. You might find yourself asking: Why would they do this? Is it for attention? Did I miss the signs? The truth is, self-harm is rarely about attention. For many teens, it’s a way of coping with intense emotions they don’t yet have the tools to manage.

    In this episode, I’m breaking down why teens self-harm, what it’s really about, and how parents can respond in a way that is supportive rather than reactive. We’ll talk about the emotional needs behind self-harm, how it often connects to anxiety, perfectionism, and self-criticism, and the crucial role parents play in creating safety and open communication.

    Whether this is something your teen is currently struggling with or a topic you want to be prepared for, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and practical steps to help you approach this difficult subject with confidence and care.

    Big hugs,

    Monica Crnogorac

    Next Steps

    Book a Free Discovery Call

    Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program

    Connect With Me on Instagram

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    20 mins
  • 68 | How to Let Go of Parenting Guilt and Support Your Anxious Teen with Confidence
    Oct 7 2025

    Hi Parents!

    Do you ever feel weighed down by parenting guilt?

    If your teen struggles with anxiety, it’s so easy to blame yourself - wondering if you’ve done enough, said the right things, or somehow made things worse. Guilt can creep in when you set boundaries, when you give space, and even when you try to help. The pressure to “get it right” all the time can leave you second-guessing your every move.

    In this solo episode, I’m diving into how parenting guilt shows up and why it can feel so heavy when your teen is anxious. More importantly, we’ll talk about how to release it, so you can support your teen with confidence instead of constantly questioning yourself.

    I’ll share how guilt can actually fuel anxiety for both you and your teen, the mindset shifts that make space for more calm and clarity, and simple practices that help you show up as the grounded, supportive parent your teen needs most.

    Whether you’ve been carrying parenting guilt for years or it’s just starting to show up in your home, this episode will give you the tools and encouragement to let go of the weight and step into a more confident, compassionate role in your parenting journey.

    Big hugs,

    Monica Crnogorac

    Next Steps

    Book a Free Discovery Call

    Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program

    Connect With Me on Instagram

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    20 mins
  • 67 | Bonus Episode: Free Parenting Audio Event with Monica Virga Alborno for Support and Strategies During the Holidays
    Oct 3 2025

    Hi Parents!

    In this bonus episode, I’m excited to share a special opportunity with you. Monica Virga Alborno is hosting a FREE Intentional Living for Families Summit from Oct. 6th-9th, bringing together a variety of experts who share practical tools, strategies, and encouragement to help parents feel more supported during the holiday season.

    This audio event is designed to give you insights and strategies you can use at home right away, while also helping you feel less overwhelmed during this busy time of year. If you’d like lifetime access to the sessions, you can upgrade with the All-Access Pass and as a listener of Parenting Anxious Teens, you’ll receive $5 off when you use the code MONICA at checkout.

    👉🏻 Register for the free event here. 👉🏻 Upgrade with the All-Access Pass and use code MONICA for $5 off.

    This is a wonderful way to connect with expert voices, discover new strategies, and feel more supported as a parent this holiday season.

    More About Monica Virga Alborno:

    Featured in Forbes, Glamour, Business Insider, and Parents, Monica Virga Alborno is a former Fortune 500 energy engineering executive turned entrepreneur. She is the founder of Wanderwild Family Retreats, the only established retreat company in the Americas welcoming children and WandHERwild, a podcast and digital community for the modern mother.

    Originally from New Jersey and now based in Norway, she has lived on four continents, visited more than 80 countries, and is raising two globally rooted children. Her work is fueled by a passion for experiential learning, holistic self-development, and building communities that empower families.

    Big hugs,

    Monica Crnogorac

    Next Steps

    Book a Free Discovery Call

    Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program

    Connect With Me on Instagram

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • 66 | Breaking the Cycle of Trauma to Support Your Anxious Teen with Dr. Robyn Koslowitz
    Sep 30 2025

    Hi Parents!

    If you’ve ever felt like your child’s anxiety is triggering your own old wounds, this episode will give you tools and hope for breaking the cycle.

    I’m joined by Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, psychologist, trauma expert, and author of Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle, Become the Parent You Always Wanted to Be. Dr. Koslowitz is the founder of the Post-Traumatic Parenting model, which helps parents heal their inner child while raising their real-world child with resilience and compassion.

    In our conversation, Dr. Koslowitz shares her powerful “trauma app” metaphor, explains why trauma so often impacts our parenting, and walks us through the 5 subtypes of Post-Traumatic Parenting. We also talk about her R2 Parenting framework - Responsive and Responsible - and how it compares to other parenting styles.

    If your teen struggles with anxiety, you’ll hear how their struggles might bring up your own trauma, and most importantly, what you can do to respond without passing that pain along.

    More About Dr. Robyn Koslowitz:

    Dr. Robyn Koslowitz is a psychologist and trauma expert who helps parents recognize how their own childhood experiences influence their parenting today. Through her Post-Traumatic Parenting model, she guides parents to break free from inherited patterns, heal their inner child, and raise resilient, emotionally secure kids. Her work combines clinical expertise with compassionate insight, offering parents both understanding and actionable tools.

    This episode is filled with powerful insights and practical tools for parents of anxious teens. Dr. Koslowitz reminds us that while our inner child can’t raise a child, the very act of parenting our real-world children can become part of our own healing journey.

    Big hugs,

    Monica Crnogorac

    Next Steps

    Book a Free Discovery Call

    Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program

    Connect With Me on Instagram

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    49 mins
  • 65 | How to Help Your Perfectionist Teen Overcome Procrastination and Build Confidence with Becky Funk
    Sep 23 2025

    Hi Parents!

    If your teen crumbles when it’s time to make a decision, second-guesses everything they do, or constantly worries about making the wrong choice, then this episode is for you.

    In this conversation, I’m joined by Becky, a Certified Master Life Coach and the creator of the Stand Strong System. Becky helps anxious teens go from reactive to resilient, and she’s here to unpack the connection between perfectionism and decision-making anxiety.

    We talk about why some teens struggle to make even small decisions, what perfectionism actually looks like, and the mistakes parents often make when trying to help. Becky also shares simple, powerful ways you can support your teen without taking over or walking on eggshells, even in those high-stress moments.

    More about Becky:

    Becky is a Certified Master Life Coach, former high school teacher, and mom with lived experience navigating anxiety. She’s the creator of the Stand Strong System - a holistic approach that helps anxious teens build resilience and teaches their parents how to truly support them. Her work is grounded in empathy, real-life tools, and a deep understanding of what teens and parents are really going through.

    Get your free resource here and tune in - this episode is full of practical advice, relatable stories, and mindset shifts that can really make a difference!

    Big hugs,

    Monica Crnogorac

    Next Steps

    Book a Free Discovery Call

    Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program

    Connect With Me on Instagram

    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • 64 | Understanding Panic vs. Anxiety Attacks in Teens with Dr. Amy Kranzler
    Sep 16 2025

    Hi Parents!

    If your teen has ever had a panic attack or if you're not sure how to tell the difference between panic and anxiety, then this episode will help you better understand what they might be going through and how you can support them.

    This week, I’m joined by Dr. Amy Kranzler, licensed clinical psychologist and Chief Clinical Officer at Handspring Health, where she works with teens experiencing anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation.

    In our conversation, Amy breaks down the key differences between panic attacks and anxiety attacks and explains what panic disorder really is. You’ll learn how to respond if your teen is in the middle of a panic attack, what to avoid in those moments, and how to support teens who live in fear of having another one.

    We also talk about what evidence-based treatment for panic disorder looks like, and how parents play a vital role in that process.

    More About Dr. Amy Kranzler:

    Dr. Kranzler previously ran the adult DBT program at Montefiore Medical Center and was the Associate Director of the CBT Training Program. Amy brings a wealth of clinical experience and a passion for helping young people feel safe, seen, and supported in their mental health journey.

    If you’ve ever felt unsure how to support your teen through panic or the pressure to be perfect, this conversation will give you clarity, confidence, and practical tools you can start using right away.

    Big hugs,

    Monica Crnogorac

    Next Steps

    Book a Free Discovery Call

    Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program

    Connect With Me on Instagram

    Show More Show Less
    27 mins