FILE NAME: how-to-stay-connected-with-your-teen-or-young-adult-transcript.txt
How to Stay Connected with Your Teen or Young Adult (Without Pushing Them Away)
The Extraordinary Purpose Podcast – Transcript
Hosts: Chris Adang & Erin Verdis
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[INTRO]
Welcome to The Extraordinary Purpose Podcast, where we explore the real challenges parents face while raising teens and young adults—and how to create deeper connection, confidence, and purpose within your family.
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[OPENING]
Chris:
If your teen or young adult is pulling away… and nothing you’re doing seems to work… you’re not alone.
Erin:
And more importantly—you’re not doing anything wrong. But the way you’re trying to connect might actually be pushing them further away.
Chris:
Today, we’re talking about one of the most important shifts you can make as a parent:
How to stay connected with your teen or young adult—without forcing it.
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[KEY IDEA: ENTER THEIR WORLD]
Erin:
Connection doesn’t come from pulling them into your world.
It comes from being willing to step into theirs.
Chris:
And not just step into it—but to be invited in.
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[WHY DISCONNECTION HAPPENS]
Chris:
As kids grow into teens and young adults, they naturally move out of our world…
and into their own.
And when that happens, it creates fear.
Erin:
Fear that we’re losing them.
Fear that they won’t figure things out.
Fear that we’re not doing enough.
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[WHAT PUSHES THEM AWAY]
Chris:
When we operate from fear, we try to:
- Fix
- Control
- Advise
- Question with an agenda
And that energy pushes them further away.
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[WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS]
Erin:
Instead of control—choose curiosity.
Instead of pressure—create safety.
Instead of constant advice—create space.
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[BETTER QUESTIONS]
Instead of:
“Why are you on your phone so much?”
Try:
“What have you been enjoying lately?”
Instead of:
“What are you doing with your life?”
Try:
“What’s been on your mind lately that you haven’t shared?”
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[THE POWER OF TIMING]
Chris:
Connection doesn’t happen in the heat of the moment.
It happens in the right environment:
- On a drive
- During a shared activity
- In a relaxed, safe space
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[BUILDING CONNECTION OVER TIME]
Erin:
You’re not going to fix this in one conversation.
Connection is built over time:
- A little openness
- A little sharing
- A little trust
And then more… and more… and more.
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[MODEL YOUR OWN GROWTH]
Chris:
One of the most powerful ways to influence your teen or young adult…
Is to focus on your own growth.
Erin:
When you:
- Pursue your passions
- Take care of yourself
- Grow as a person
You become someone they naturally want to connect with.
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[FINAL MESSAGE]
Chris:
Your job isn’t to control your child.
It’s to support them in a way that allows them to feel:
- Independent
- Capable
- Seen
Erin:
You’re not losing your child.
You’re being invited into a new way of connecting with them.
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[CALL TO ACTION]
If you’re ready to rebuild connection and create a calmer, more connected family environment…
Visit:
www.myextraordinarypurpose.com
Or schedule a discovery call:
https://calendly.com/extraordinarypurpose/young-adult-discovery-call
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[OUTRO]
Thank you for being here.
We’re grateful for you—and your family.
We’ll see you in the next episode.
