When the World Feels Too Big: Talking With Our Kids About Hard Things

In a world where violent incidents, political upheaval, and shocking news dominate headlines --- from immigration enforcement violence in Minnesota to studies pointing to "nihilistic" violence without clear motives --- many parents and caregivers are left wondering: How do we talk about this with our kids? And more importantly, how do we process our own feelings so that we don't become overwhelmed or paralyzed by fear, uncertainty, or anger?

In this episode, Ned speaks with teen mental health and parenting expert Julie Baron, LCSW-C guides listeners through developmental, emotional, and practical frameworks for navigating these conversations with children and adolescents. We'll explore the psychological roots of feeling out of control, the maladaptive ways people try to regain a sense of agency (including in forms of violence), and evidence-based tools from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and her innovative CARE model for parenting that help families cope, connect, and act --- even in uncertainty.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] - Why we fall back into old parenting habits—and how to change that

[3:11] - Julie’s work with teens and families using DBT skills

[6:39] - How parent and child emotions feed off each other (and escalate)

[9:46] - The impact of technology and social media on teen mental health

[15:12] - Practical strategies to manage overwhelming news and stress

[18:10] - The role of control—and why feeling powerless fuels anxiety

[21:33] - Understanding maladaptive coping (and what’s underneath it)

[23:43] - What we can control: attention and behavior

[28:21] - How to talk with kids about scary or overwhelming world events

[31:41] - Why connection matters more than saying the “right” thing

[36:22] - DBT communication skills: goals, relationships, and self-respect

[40:27] - Choosing your parenting battles wisely

[44:01] - The power of validation (and how to use it effectively)

[46:24] - Why inconsistent parenting responses can backfire

[47:45] - Managing stress: increasing healthy “outflows”

[49:34] - Final takeaway: connection is the ultimate buffer against stress

Links & Resources

What Works With Teens Newsletter

Parenting Teens Through Connection

Julie Baron and Associates: Website

Linkedin: Julie Baron

Instagram: @parentingteensthroughconnection

Facebook: Julie Baron and Associates

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If you have a high school aged student and would like to talk about putting a tutoring or college plan together, reach out to Ned's company, PrepMatters at www.prepmatters.com