Ep 1. When Your Teen Doesn’t Fit the Mold: Supporting Their Authenticity and Identity

If you’ve ever worried that your teen doesn’t fit the “traditional” path — whether it’s school, sports, friends, or even personality — you are not alone. In this first episode of Parents and Teens Rising, I’m diving into what it really means when your teen doesn’t fit the mold… and why that’s not something to fix, but something to understand, support, and celebrate.

We’ll talk about:

  • Why so many teens today struggle to fit societal expectations
  • How to recognize whether your teen’s unique path is a challenge or an opportunity
  • The emotional toll this can take on both parents and teens
  • Practical tools to build confidence, connection, and courage — no matter what path your teen is on

As an educator, a wilderness rites of passage guide, and a teen and parent coach, I’ve worked with hundreds of teens and families navigating these challenges. My goal is to give you a fresh perspective and actionable strategies so you can stop feeling helpless and start feeling empowered in your parenting journey.

If you’re ready to learn how to show up for your teen — without forcing them into someone else’s definition of success — this episode is for you.

✨ Let’s connect:

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Image of Guided Passages Founder Jasmyne Chandler next to the question, "Want a better connection with your teen?"

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Kerrick Gooden

Guide

Kerrick was raised in the Hill Country of Austin, Texas where he studied at the University of Texas. After some travel, he moved to the Rogue Valley of Oregon with a vision to farm and support youth. He completed his Bachelor’s of Science in Applied Cultural Anthropology with Honors in 2004 at Southern Oregon University, and devoted over a decade supporting youth and their families navigate  local and state social service programs. During this time, he and his partner cultivated a food forest at their home and founded Verdant Phoenix as an educational mini-farm in 2016.

Verdant Phoenix Farm became an expression of a way of life for Kerrick. He is interested in the relationships between humans, soil, microbes, plants/trees/shrubs, food, culture, time, and the web of life. As these elements inform his horticultural practice, Kerrick enjoys supporting landscapes, gardens, farms, and their people who are interested in belonging to the land.