What does it really feel like to be a teenager today—and what do teens wish their parents understood?

Our guest today is Sonia Suthar, Founder of Cloud9, a unique platform that combines life skills, personal growth, and community-building for teenagers

In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Sonia for a candid, unfiltered crash course on navigating the parent-teen relationship from the inside out. From the subtle ways parents unintentionally communicate “you’re not good enough,” to why judgment and negativity quietly erode trust, Sonia offers a perspective most adults rarely hear—but desperately need.

We explore why seeing your teen with their friends can change everything, what teens actually want (hint: it’s not constant advice), and how interrogation, commands, and even “helpful” guidance can backfire. Sonia also introduces practical tools like “habit stacking” to build consistency, the power of vulnerability and transparency statements, and the importance of creating a healthy balance of power—not control.

Plus, we break down the simple but transformative question every parent should ask: Do you want to be heard, helped, or hugged?

If you’re a parent looking to strengthen your relationship, rebuild trust, and better understand the emotional world of your teen, this podcast is a must-listen.