In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino welcomes Michael Chaison — speaker, musician, writer, and father of two — for a candid discussion about what young people wish their parents truly understood.
Chiasson’s book Things We Wish Our Parents Knew offers a window into the hopes, fears, and emotions that teens struggle to express.
Together, the conversation explores practical ways parents can foster emotional safety, encourage honest conversations, and build meaningful family connections.
You’ll learn:
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How to help your child open up about their feelings
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Why emotional awareness matters more than perfection in parenting
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How to navigate mental health conversations at home
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What simple actions show your teen they matter
MICHAEL CHIASSON
Speaker
Musician
Writer
Entrepreneur
Author
Father of 2
thingswewishourparentsknew.com
“When a teen says ‘I’m fine,’ it’s often code for
‘I don’t feel safe enough to tell you what’s really going on.’ Our job as parents is to create the safety for the truth to come out.”