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What if “normal” isn’t real?

In this episode, teen anxiety coach Cynthia Coufal reveals why “normal” is a social construct — and how chasing it creates more anxiety, comparison, and self-doubt.

You’ll hear powerful insights inspired by Jonathan Mooney, author of The Short Bus and Normal Sucks, and learn Cynthia’s 3-step Triangle Formula (Perception – Process – Plan) to calm your mind, build confidence, and take brave action as your authentic self.

If you’ve ever said, “I just want to be normal,” this episode will change the way you see yourself — and help you feel safe being real.

✨ Download your free Redefining Normal Reflection Guide in the show notes to start applying the Triangle Formula in your life.
https://cheerful-writer-462.kit.com/2fac7aa60e

Struggling with anxiety in your family? If anxiety is causing tension, fights, or disconnect in your home, you don’t have to face it alone. I help parents bring more peace, confidence, and connection to their families. Let’s talk—schedule a free consultation today or email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com

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Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
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Do homework battles happen daily in your house? You’re not alone.

In this episode, I talk with Jessyka Coulter, founder of ACE Cookie Tutoring, about why so many teens struggle with homework — and how parents can help them learn how to learn.

Jessyka explains the difference between content tutoring and study skills coaching, revealing how missing skills like time management, organization, and note-taking cause stress, anxiety, and frustration for both kids and parents.

You’ll learn:
✅ Why “I don’t have homework” is rarely the real problem
✅ The 12 essential study skills every teen needs to succeed
✅ How parents can stop nagging and start empowering their kids
✅ What schools often miss when it comes to teaching kids how to learn

🎁 Free Resource: Download Jessyka’s Homework Buster guide to help your teen overcome homework resistance → https://www.acecookietutoring.com/about-jessyka

Connect with Jessyka Coulter:
🌐 Website: https://www.acecookietutoring.com/
📘 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/asforstudents
📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoDL_P08NEyLFdfIH7IEgsQ

Connect with Cynthia Coufal Coaching:
🌐 www.betterregulatethannever.com

💛 Learn more about Parenting Through The Maze: https://www.betterregulatethannever.com/parenting-through-the-maze

#parenting #teens #studyskills #homeworkhelp #teenanxiety #education #learninghowtolearn #anxietycoach #cynthiacoufal #theanxietymazenavigator

Struggling with anxiety in your family? If anxiety is causing tension, fights, or disconnect in your home, you don’t have to face it alone. I help parents bring more peace, confidence, and connection to their families. Let’s talk—schedule a free consultation today or email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com

Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
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Have you ever looked at your teen scrolling on their phone and thought, “I’ve completely lost control of this?”
You’re not alone. Many parents feel overwhelmed trying to balance their teen’s screen time and social media use while keeping the peace at home.

In this episode, Cynthia Coufal, Teen Anxiety Coach and founder of The Anxiety Maze Navigator, shares how to:
✅ Set screen time limits without constant arguments
✅ Build a Family Media Plan that works for everyone
✅ Model healthy digital habits (even when you struggle too)
✅ Talk with your teen about online news, bias, and misinformation
✅ Strengthen your connection while navigating the digital world together

💡 This isn’t about control — it’s about communication, balance, and helping your teen use technology in ways that support their wellbeing.

📚 Explore resources mentioned:

HealthyChildren.org Family Media Plan:
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/fmp/Pages/MediaPlan.aspx

UNICEF Digital Parenting Toolkit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kEAH5jgapeFVo6y2UJ4mIalDdEm2EEJU/view?usp=sharing

SAMHSA:
https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/children-and-families/online-health-and-safety-for-children-and-youth

All Sides
https://www.allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-news

Ground News
https://ground.news/

👉 Follow for weekly tips on parenting anxious teens and helping your family thrive in today’s digital world.

Struggling with anxiety in your family? If anxiety is causing tension, fights, or disconnect in your home, you don’t have to face it alone. I help parents bring more peace, confidence, and connection to their families. Let’s talk—schedule a free consultation today or email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com

Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
More information

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Ever feel worse after scrolling through social media?

You're not imagining it. Social media algorithms are designed to keep your attention—not to show you the truth.

In this episode, I'm breaking down how these algorithms control what you see, how they impact your mental health, and most importantly—how to take back control.

Whether you're a teen feeling the pressure or a parent trying to help, this video gives you practical tools to manage your digital life and protect your mental health.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
✅ How social media algorithms actually work (and why your feed feels so toxic)
✅ The "mirror vs. window" concept that changes everything
✅ How to set boundaries that actually work (no, you don't have to quit)
✅ How to curate a feed that lifts you up instead of drags you down


KEY TAKEAWAYS:
🧠 Your feed isn't reality—it's a reflection of what you click on
📱 Notifications are stealing your peace (here's how to fix it)
💭 Small mindset shifts that make a huge difference
🛡️ Digital literacy is your best defense against manipulation
🤝 Connection is the antidote to digital stress
RESOURCES :

Bad News Game (free misinformation training): https://www.getbadnews.com/en
988 Crisis Hotline: Call or text 988 anytime for mental health support
School counselors and trusted adults are there for you

LET'S CONNECT:
📸 Instagram: @cynthiacoufalcoaching

If this video helped you understand social media better or gave you tools to manage your digital life, please give it a thumbs up and share it with someone who needs to hear this. Subscribe for more conversations about mental health, digital wellness, and thriving in our modern world.
Remember: You don't have to quit social media to stay healthy—you just need to manage it with intention. 💙



DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 988 or contact a mental health professional immediately.

Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
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✨ What if your teen’s biggest challenges could actually become their greatest strengths?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Blythe Metz-Mändmets—metaphysician, author of Dear Teenager, You Are Amazing, and holistic healing coach—to explore her 5 Keys to Creating a Life You Love.

We dive into practical tools for both parents and teens, including:
✅ How unconditional self-love builds confidence and resilience
✅ Why forgiveness transforms health, happiness, and relationships
✅ What “Imagineering” means—and how it helps teens shape their future
✅ The #1 thing parents can do to strengthen their connection with teens
✅ Simple shifts to reduce stress, anxiety, and negative thinking

🌟 Free Gift from Dr. Blythe: Get the Connection Blueprint: 10 Keys to a Thriving Parent-Teen Relationship here → https://blythenaturalliving.myflodesk.com/teens

💬 Let’s connect:
Subscribe for more tools to help parents and teens navigate anxiety and life’s challenges with confidence.

📌 Chapters:
0:00 Intro – Meet Dr. Blythe Metz-Mändmets
2:15 What is a Metaphysician?
6:40 Teaching Teens Self-Love & Intuition
12:00 Imagineering Explained
20:00 The Power of Forgiveness for Teens & Parents
27:00 Strengthening Parent-Teen Connections
31:00 Free Gift: The Parent-Teen Blueprint

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this with another parent who needs encouragement today!

Struggling with anxiety in your family? If anxiety is causing tension, fights, or disconnect in your home, you don’t have to face it alone. I help parents bring more peace, confidence, and connection to their families. Let’s talk—schedule a free consultation today or email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com

Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
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🎉 I am celebrating 5 YEARS of the podcast! 🎉

To mark this milestone, I’m taking you back to where it all began — my very first episode, recorded during the pandemic. I was terrified and excited, but I knew I had to share the message that changed my life:

✨ You are 100% worthy and loveable, exactly as you are. ✨

This episode started as a way to reach my students when I couldn’t be with them, but it grew into something so much bigger — a community, a resource, and a reminder that none of us are alone in our struggles.

In this special replay, you’ll hear:
✅ Why I started the podcast in the first place
✅ The struggles and fears I had when beginning
✅ The core truth that still guides every episode today

💛 Thank you for being part of this journey — whether you’ve been listening since day one or this is your very first time. I’m so grateful for you!

👉 Listen to more episodes of The Teen Anxiety Maze Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OT7CqOJ4ao&list=PL_GAwNq4evJ-FsN-0E4vA9-yGmkh2bFSZ
👉 Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO9WBijdxeYpQSekM7RZYvA?sub_confirmation=1

Struggling with anxiety in your family? If anxiety is causing tension, fights, or disconnect in your home, you don’t have to face it alone. I help parents bring more peace, confidence, and connection to their families. Let’s talk—schedule a free consultation today or email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com

Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
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Have you ever wondered why breathing techniques that work for your friends leave you feeling more anxious? Or why everyone tells you to "just relax" when your mind won't stop spinning?

After years of helping people manage anxiety, I've discovered something crucial: we've been treating anxiety like it's one-size-fits-all, when it's actually as unique as your fingerprint.

In this episode, I break down the 4 distinct anxiety navigation styles:
THE THINKER - You analyze everything, searching for the "why" behind every anxious moment. Your brain processes those 60,000 daily thoughts by dissecting each one.
THE DOER - You can't sit still when anxiety hits. You clean, exercise, organize - anything to channel that energy into productive action.
THE FEELER - You dive deep into emotions, absorbing the energy of everyone around you while processing feelings on a profound level.
THE DREAMER - You escape into imagination, books, creativity, and rich inner worlds when anxiety becomes overwhelming.

Here's the truth: there's nothing wrong with your natural way of handling anxiety. You're not broken because meditation doesn't work for you. You're simply working with a different operating system.

WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER:

Research-backed strategies tailored to your specific navigation style
Why traditional anxiety advice might not work for you
The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique for Thinkers
How to channel anxiety energy purposefully as a Doer
"Name it to Tame It" strategies for Feelers
Reality check techniques for Dreamers
How to become the captain of your own ship toward calmer waters

TAKE THE FREE QUIZ: https://forms.gle/D1g1p3S7PXEPUaj48
Discover your personal anxiety navigation style and get a customized toolkit of strategies that actually work for your unique brain.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction - Why anxiety strategies fail
2:30 The Thinker - Analysis and overthinking
6:15 The Doer - Action-based anxiety management
10:45 The Feeler - Emotional processing and empathy
15:20 The dreamer - Creative escape and imagination
19:30 Your personalized toolkit
22:00 Taking the quiz and next steps

Remember: your anxiety isn't your enemy. It's your mind and body working overtime to keep you safe. Understanding your navigation style helps you work with your nature instead of against it.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

National Institute of Mental Health study on analytical thinking and rumination
Harvard Medical School research on exercise and anxiety
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology empathy study

CONNECT WITH ME:

Website: https://www.betterregulatethannever.com/
Instagram: @cynthiacoufalcoaching
Podcast: The Teen Anxiety Maze https://podfollow.com/the-teen-anxiety-maze
Free Quiz: https://forms.gle/D1g1p3S7PXEPUaj48

If this episode helped you understand your anxiety in a new way, please subscribe for more evidence-based strategies for managing anxiety and finding calm.

DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or t

Struggling with anxiety in your family? If anxiety is causing tension, fights, or disconnect in your home, you don’t have to face it alone. I help parents bring more peace, confidence, and connection to their families. Let’s talk—schedule a free consultation today or email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com

Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
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🎉 I’m celebrating 5 years of podcasting! In this episode, I’m sharing the 5 biggest lessons I’ve learned after showing up behind the mic every single week for half a decade.

These lessons aren’t just about podcasting—they’re about creativity, resilience, and personal growth. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to keep a podcast going long-term (or you just want some inspiration for your own journey), this one’s for you.

✨ Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

Why I’m not lazy (and what I discovered about consistency).

How podcasting revealed my hidden creativity.

The pivots I resisted—but needed to grow.

What it’s like to create something that didn’t exist before.

Why success is never a straight line.

👉 Whether you’re a podcaster, a creator, or just someone navigating change, these lessons will encourage you to keep going, even when the path isn’t perfect.

💡 If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to hit follow and share it with a friend who could use some encouragement today.

🔗 Learn more about my work with teens and parents: https://www.betterregulatethannever.com/

Struggling with anxiety in your family? If anxiety is causing tension, fights, or disconnect in your home, you don’t have to face it alone. I help parents bring more peace, confidence, and connection to their families. Let’s talk—schedule a free consultation today or email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com

Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
More information