~185~"The Parenting Truth No One Talks About: Why Raising Teens Starts with You | Cheryl Pankhurst & Sonia Dong"

Raising teenagers isn't about having all the answers.It's about having the courage to grow alongside them.In this deeply honest conversation, Cheryl Pankhurst sits down with fellow parenting podcast host Sonia Dong (Raising the Next Gen) for an unfiltered discussion about what they've learned—not just from interviewing parenting experts—but from becoming different parents themselves.Together they explore:✔ Why parenting teens always starts with the parent✔ The surprising lessons podcasting has taught them✔ Why so many parents feel disconnected from their teenagers✔ The hidden impact of our own childhoods on how we parent✔ How to stop parenting from fear and start parenting from your values✔ Navigating technology, ChatGPT, social media and today's parenting challenges✔ Why authenticity matters more than perfection✔ The legacy every parent leaves behindThis isn't another conversation about fixing teenagers.It's about becoming the parent your teen actually needs.Whether your teen is struggling with school, mental health, friendships, independence, neurodiversity or simply growing up in today's complicated world, this episode will leave you feeling seen, encouraged and empowered.Sonia Dong is a writer, podcaster, speaker, and mom of two exploring personal growth, mindfulness, and human connection. She brings over two decades of experience across youth education, nonprofit leadership, and values-driven entrepreneurship. As a certified Kind Voice of Impact Speaker™, she shares stories from her own journey of parenthood to inspire parents to slow down, show up, and lead with intention. She is the host of Raising the Next Gen, a podcast for parents of teens and tweens, and a co-author of the book Mama’s Gotta Grow. She is also a certified Leader in Me educator and works with the nonprofit Girl. Strong. to facilitate workshops for youth on topics such as body confidence, self-esteem, and Franklin Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Website: https://soniadong.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soniadong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniadong Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mVS2AZdgwobeh0V2f6gPAYOUR GIFT- GUIDE FOR GRADE 8 TO GRADE 9 IEP TRANSITIONShttps://www.cherylpankhurst.com/iep-high-school-transition-parent-quick-guideLet’s Chat https://tidycal.com/cherylpankhurst/consultation-chatConnect with Cheryl!Get the book here!Daring to Belong: Autism Stories of Courage and ConnectionDIRECT LINK TO COACHING WITH CHERYL&nbsp;email : support@cherylpankhurst.com&nbsp;Website &nbsp;cherylpankhurst.comSOCIALS:</stro