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A wave of teen distress has swept through otherwise loving, intact families—panic attacks, self-harm, school avoidance—without the trauma histories clinicians typically expect. Psychotherapist and parent coach Nicole Runyon traces a common thread: unbounded devices and a culture that prizes comfort over challenge. We dive into how the modern home and school environment can quietly derail development, and why the fastest path to change is helping parents reclaim calm authority, not slotting children into an overburdened system.
Nicole lays out a clear, workable framework for raising independent young people: high love paired with high limits. We explore her four pillars—self-reflection, child development, technology, and independence—and how each one transforms daily life. From movement as the brain’s first teacher to device-free routines that restore sleep and focus, she shows how small, firm shifts in the environment reduce meltdowns, build resilience, and make room for growth. We also talk food, ultra-processed diets, and the subtle ways overstimulation fuels anxiety. Along the way, Nicole shares why she moved from child therapy to coaching parents, how keeping kids out of the coaching room avoids scapegoating, and what it takes to hold a boundary with warmth when backlash hits.
If you’ve felt tugged between “because I said so” and “anything to keep the peace,” this conversation offers a steadier middle. Expect practical steps, honest stories about pushback and rejection, and a hopeful message: parents are more powerful than they think. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it today, and leave a quick review to help more families find these tools.

👤 Guest Biography

Nicole Runyon is a psychotherapist, keynote speaker, and parent coach with over two decades of experience working with children and families. She is the author of the best-selling book Free to Fly: The Secret to Fostering Independence in the Next Generation.

After witnessing a surge of mental-health struggles among adolescents, Nicole shifted her focus from treating children in therapy to empowering parents to lead with confidence, compassion, and clarity. Through her coaching programs and speaking engagements, she helps families set healthy boundaries around technology, nurture emotional resilience, and build deeper connections at home.

Contact Details and Social Media Handles

• 🔗 Website: nicolerunyon.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091145239655
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolerunyonlmsw/
• 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/igenerationmentalhealth/
• 📘Book: Free to Fly: The Secret to Fostering Independence in the Next Generation - https://nicolerunyon.com/free-to-fly/