Executive Function, Anxiety, and Teens: A Conversation with Bryna Cunningham

Parenting an anxious or resistant child can feel like walking a tightrope between supporting them and fighting daily battles over homework, phones, and responsibilities. In this episode, Brandon Slade sits down with Bryna Cunningham, clinical social worker, school counselor, and private practice therapist, to talk about the connection between executive function deficits and anxiety—and what parents can do to help.Bryna shares practical strategies for creating a “soft landing” after school, recognizing overstimulation, and approaching resistance with curiosity rather than control. She explains why defensiveness often masks anxiety, how body doubling and modeling can reduce stress, and why letting kids experience natural consequences is sometimes the best teacher.They also dig into timely challenges like phone use and overstimulation, the importance of clear expectations, and the danger of sacrificing long-term relationships over short-term academic battles. Bryna emphasizes wholehearted parenting—showing kids they’re valued as people, not just for performance—and reminds us that building trust, modeling balance, and prioritizing connection are what truly help kids thrive.If you’re a parent navigating homework resistance, teen defensiveness, or the ever-present phone battles, this episode will leave you with concrete tools and reassurance that you’re not alone.Visit Bryna's Website: https://www.brynacunningham.com/If you or your student are interested in learning more about what Untapped Learning has to offer, visit us at:Website: https://untappedlearning.com/FREE downloadable resources: https://untappedlearning.com/resource-type/downloads/This podcast is hosted by Brandon Slade, Founder of Untapped Learning.