Episode 8 – Home Isn’t Always a Haven What happens when the one place that’s supposed to feel safe—home—starts to feel like a war zone? In this episode of Decode Teen Emotions, we take a deep dive into the hidden emotional battles happening behind closed doors. From sibling rivalry and feeling invisible to the weight of financial stress and constant parental conflict, we explore how these stressors can build up and impact a teen’s ability to manage anger and anxiety.

Join host John, expert guest Susan, and teen voice Brayden as they discuss real-life scenarios and offer practical, compassionate strategies for turning household tension into connection. Discover how tools like family check-ins, emotional validation, and simple “I feel” statements can make a powerful difference.

If your home life feels overwhelming, or if you're looking for ways to communicate better and feel more understood, this episode is for you.

Inspired by Anger Management for Teens: Mad to Calm by Agnes Blake.

Episode 7: Family Pressure or Family Peace

Ever feel like your parents just don’t listen or that the rules at home don’t make sense? In this episode, John, Susan, and Brayden unpack how different parenting styles—especially the strict, no-discussion kind—can lead to frustration, emotional shutdowns, and blowups.

You’ll hear:

• The difference between authoritative and authoritarian parenting

• How to use “I feel” statements instead of silent anger

• Why family power struggles happen—and how to handle them better

• Brayden’s personal take on feeling unheard (and what he’s doing about it)

Plus, there’s a free worksheet to help you reflect on how your home environment affects your emotions—and how to speak up without blowing up.

This episode is all about finding your voice, even when the rules feel unfair.

Ever feel like your emotions are all over the place—for no clear reason? Welcome to the world of teen hormones. In this episode, John, Susan, and Brayden break down what’s really going on inside your body and brain during puberty—and how it affects your mood, energy, and reactions.

You’ll learn:

• How hormones like testosterone and estrogen impact emotions

• Why you might go from laughing to yelling in 60 seconds

• How to manage mood swings with sleep, nutrition, exercise, and honest conversations

• A case study that shows how tracking patterns can change everything

Susan shares powerful tips for staying steady in the emotional storm, and Brayden keeps it real with what these changes actually feel like from a teen’s point of view.

Don’t forget to grab the free worksheet, Hormonal Journal Prompts, to reflect, track patterns, and take back control of your mood.

🌊 Your emotions may feel like a wave—but you get to choose how to ride it.