Parenting Teens Is Complicated. The Conversation Doesn't Have to Be.
Honest conversations about parenting, adolescence, connection, and the people making a difference in young people's lives.
I'm Ashley Radzat, parent and teen coach, educator, author, and your host.
Each episode offers a fresh perspective on what parents, teens, and educators are navigating, and what might actually help.
Conversations for parents, teens, educators, and anyone who cares about helping young people thrive.
let's name what works.
It's Easy to Notice What's Going Wrong.
The attitude. The shutdowns. The anxiety. The missed assignments. The conversations that somehow become arguments before you've even finished your first sentence.
Those moments matter. But they aren't the whole story.
See Beyond the Behavior
Explore what may be happening beneath a teenager's reactions, emotions, and choices.
Learn From Real Stories
Hear honest experiences from parents, teens, educators, and professionals doing meaningful work.
Build on What's Working
Recognize strengths, progress, and practical opportunities to create meaningful change.
Real Conversations. Useful Perspectives.
From adolescent development to relationships and the everyday challenges of raising young people, our conversations cover the topics that matter.
Understanding Teen Behavior
Development, big emotions, anxiety, and what might be happening underneath the behavior.
Communication & Connection
Listening, repairing, setting boundaries, and staying connected through challenging moments.
Confidence & Independence
Helping teenagers develop responsibility, self-trust, and resilience while learning from mistakes.
Relationships Beyond Home
School communities, friendships, belonging, and the people who support young people's growth.
Wondering Where to Begin?
Here are three conversations to introduce you to the heart of Name What Works.
How to Name What Works
Discover the idea behind the podcast and how recognizing what's working can change the way we approach parenting and relationships.
Find on Apple PodcastsFear Less, Wonder More with Rachel Richards
A conversation about approaching teenagers with more curiosity and connection, rather than allowing fear to guide every response.
Find on SpotifyInside a Real Family Coaching Session: Parenting Teens
Hear a real coaching conversation about listening, processing big emotions, and helping teenagers feel heard.
Find on iHeartRadioLinks open the podcast show pages so you can find the episode in your preferred app.
Find Name What Works Wherever You Listen.
Watch a full conversation while you're relaxing, listen on your walk, or tune in during that inevitable school pickup line.
Have a Story Worth Sharing? I'd Love to Hear It.
Name What Works features guests who have a meaningful story, helpful perspective, or practical approach that can support parents, teens, educators, and families.
You don't need a perfect story. You do need a willingness to talk openly about what you've learned and what is making a difference.
I'm Especially Interested in Conversations With...
- Parents who have discovered new ways to connect with their children or teenagers
- Teens and young adults willing to share their own perspectives
- Educators creating meaningful change in classrooms and schools
- Therapists, coaches, physicians, researchers, and youth-development professionals
- Authors, community leaders, and people with stories of growth, resilience, repair, or transformation
What Makes a Great Conversation?
Specific, relatable, useful stories. Rather than offering only general advice, I love exploring:
- What was challenging?
- What did you try?
- What changed?
- What did you learn?
- What is working now?
- What might listeners take away and apply in their lives?
Interested in Joining Me?
Complete the guest interest form and tell me a little about yourself, what you'd like to discuss, and why the conversation might be meaningful to listeners.
Apply to Be a Podcast GuestSubmitting an application doesn't guarantee an invitation, but each submission is considered.
Hi, I'm Ashley.
I'm a parent and teen coach, California credentialed educator, Certified California Wellness Coach, Master Certified Life Coach, and author of Parenting in the Third Stage: From Holding Hands to Holding Space.
With more than twenty years in education, years teaching middle school, and two daughters of my own, I bring both professional understanding and lived experience to our conversations.
I believe there's enormous value in recognizing strengths, listening to young people, and sharing what we've learned rather than pretending to have every answer.
That's exactly why I created this podcast.
You Don't Have to Ignore What's Hard. You Just Don't Have to Let It Become the Whole Story.
Join me for honest conversations, thoughtful perspectives, and practical tools to help you understand the teenagers in your life and recognize what's working.
Subscribe to Name What WorksNew conversations, helpful tools, and more opportunities to see what works.