The Positively Healthy Mom

How can Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) help neurodiverse young adults become more independent?In this episode of The Healthy Mom, we sit down with Brooke Wagner. As the host of the Finding Hope on the Spectrum podcast, Brooke specializes in helping families navigate the complexities of autism and neurodiversity.This episode dives deep into Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) and how shifting from "static" rules to "dynamic" thinking can transform a teen's ability to navigate the real world. This conversation is essential for moms of neurodiverse teens and young adults who feel like they are "tiptoeing" around their child and are ready to rebuild a connection based on guided participation rather than constant power struggles.Key Conversations in This Episode: The Shift to Dynamic Intelligence: Why teaching neurodiverse teens to manage uncertainty is more important than teaching them to follow rigid rules. Restoring the Parent-Guide Role: How to move away from a "controlling" household dynamic and back into a healthy leadership position as a parent. Declarative Communication: The power of using "I notice" or "I wonder" statements to invite your teen into the thinking process instead of just giving commands. Redefining Success: Shifting the focus from behavioral compliance to long-term quality-of-life markers like meaningful employment and self-regulation.Common Questions About Moms Of Teens and Autism/Independence:Question: Why does my neurodiverse teen struggle so much with changes in their routine? Answer: Most traditional approaches teach "static" thinking—if X happens, do Y. However, the real world is "dynamic" and messy. By focusing on dynamic intelligence, we help teens learn to process uncertainty and non-verbal cues so they can adjust to changes in real-time rather than feeling overwhelmed by them.Question: How do I stop my teen from "ruling the roost" without causing a total meltdown? Answer: It starts with "righting the ship" of the parent-child relationship. Through guided participation, you move away from being a "manager" who dictates every move and toward being a "guide." This helps the teen feel safe and competent, which naturally reduces their need to use controlling behaviors as a defense mechanism.Meet Our Expert, Brooke Wagner:Brooke Wagner is an RDI® Program Certified Consultant, the founder and owner of Therapeutic Approach to Growth (TAG), and the host of the podcast Finding Hope on the Spectrum. With over 20 years of experience, Brooke is dedicated to empowering parents of individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental challenges. Her approach focuses on the Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) model, which emphasizes building the foundation of a guided relationship to foster emotional connection, flexible thinking, and long-term independence. Connect with Brooke on Instagram: @jessturner.coaching And on Facebook: Therapeutic Approach To Growth www.findinghopeonthespectrum.com www.tagforgrowth.comResources From Laura Ollinger Coaching: Let’s Work It Out! Connect On Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching Rate This Podcast!

How can I be closer to my high-achieving teenager and improve our connection?In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we sit down with Jess Turner, a burnout and sustainable performance coach who helps high-achieving women stop running on pressure and start building sustainable lives. This conversation is essential for moms of high-achieving teens who want to break generational burnout loops and foster a deeper, more vulnerable connection with their children through radical self-awareness.Key Conversations in This Episode: The Subconscious Parenting Audit: Learn how to ask your teen the "courageous question"—"How would you describe my beliefs?"—to uncover the hidden stories you may be accidentally passing down. Lighthouse vs. Tugboat Parenting: Discover why forcing your teen toward "shore" drains your battery and how standing stable as a "lighthouse" naturally attracts them to your regulated energy. The "Open Spaces" Mindset: A powerful metaphor for stress management for busy parents, shifting focus from the "poles" (problems) to the "open spaces" (solutions) to change your neurological results. Escaping the Time Scarcity Loop: How replacing "I have no time" with "I have an abundance of time" regulates your nervous system and stops energy-draining "doom scrolling".Common Questions About Moms Of Teens and Connection:What is the best way to have a difficult conversation with my teenager?The most effective way to handle intense topics is to talk while walking side-by-side. This "shared pack mentality" removes the ego-clash of face-to-face confrontation, and being in nature scientifically helps both the parent and teen feel calmer and more open-minded.How do I manage the pressure of parenting high-achieving teenagers without burning out?Burnout often stems from a dysregulated nervous system that burns through energy twice as fast. By practicing "sustainable performance" and viewing time as "luxurious" or "abundant," you maintain the calm needed to be present when your teen actually wants to talk.Meet Our Expert, Jess Turner:Jess Turner is a high-performance and burnout coach who helps high-achieving women stop running on pressure and start building lives that actually feel sustainable. Her work focuses on changing the way people relate to success—shifting away from constant “doing” and toward clarity, energy, and systems that support real life. Originally from the UK and now based in the US, Jess is passionate about helping women model healthier definitions of success for the people watching them.Connect with Jess on Instagram: @jessturner.coachingResources From Your Host, Laura Ollinger: Coaching: Let’s Work It Out! Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching Rate this podcast!

How can busy moms of teens manage stress and stop feeling overwhelmed?In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we sit down with Michelle Gauthier, a professional life coach and host of the Overwhelmed Working Woman podcast who helps women transition from chaos to intentional living. This episode is a must-listen for high-achieving moms who feel buried by the "mental load" of managing careers, households, and the unique demands of raising teenagers.Key Conversations in This Episode: Stress vs. Overwhelm: Understanding why you lose the ability to think clearly when stressors become unmanageable. The "Recovering People Pleaser": Why high-achieving women struggle to say no and how to begin setting essential boundaries. Over-Functioning for Teens: How stepping back from managing your teenager's life builds their adult competence and restores your identity. The Love and Fit Test: A simple two-question framework to decide what earns a spot on your calendar and what stays off.Common Questions About Moms Of Teens and Overwhelm:Why do I feel like I've lost my own identity now that my kids are older? Many moms tie their "enoughness" to helping their children function, often adopting their kids' hobbies and friends’ parents as their own friends. Reclaiming your identity starts with small, daily neuroplasticity exercises—focusing on things you enjoy (a smell, a song, a color) regardless of whether your family likes them.How do I find "White Space" when my schedule is already packed? Creating white space isn't about finding extra hours; it's about shifting from "doing more" to intentional outsourcing and automation. By automating finances or hiring help for chores like laundry, you create the calm necessary to be truly present when your teen finally steps out of their room to talk at 10:00 PM.Meet Our Expert:Michelle Gauthier is a professional life coach who helps busy, overwhelmed women create a more calm and intentional life. A former corporate executive and current single mom of two, she walked away from a 20-year career to help hundreds of women navigate home and work life with ease. In her spare time, she enjoys the gym, reading self-improvement books, and watching her kids' sporting events.Guest Links: Website: michellegauthier.com Instagram: @michellegauthiercoaching Podcast: Overwhelmed Working Woman Free Resource: What's Causing Your Overwhelm? QuizResources From Your Host, Laura OllingerConnect with Laura: Free Webinar: Get Through May Without Losing Your Joy, Your Mind, Or Yourself Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching Rate this podcast!