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Crystal is back in action and we’re diving into one of the biggest parenting conversations of 2026: teens and artificial intelligence.

In this episode of Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain, we’re talking real-life AI use in our homes — from homework help and algebra walkthroughs to writing prompts and everyday questions. We share how our teens are using tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok, where we see the benefits and the red flags.

AI isn’t going anywhere. But teen AI education, digital citizenship, and healthy screen habits must be part of the conversation.

This episode explores how to balance AI literacy with critical thinking, real-world problem-solving, and protecting teen mental health.

What We Spill the Coffee On

How Our Teens Are Using AI

From math help to creative brainstorming, today’s teens are growing up in the golden age of the internet. We discuss:

• When AI sparks creativity
• When it replaces critical thinking
• How it can impact academic integrity

AI can be powerful — but overreliance can weaken independent thinking and confidence.

Critical Thinking vs. Convenience

Teens must learn responsible AI use — not depend on it for every answer. Whether it’s homework, writing, or life decisions, technology and parenting now go hand in hand.

We also cover how:

• Overuse can impact teen mental health
• AI can reinforce misinformation or bias
• Teens may trust AI over teachers
• Screen addiction and emotional dependence are risks

Guidance over control. Education over fear. Connection over restriction.

10 Smart Mom Hacks for AI Safety

We share practical tips for:

✔️ Preventing academic dishonesty
✔️ Protecting digital privacy
✔️ Teaching responsible AI use
✔️ Setting family tech boundaries
✔️ Avoiding emotional dependence
✔️ Encouraging offline balance

Because family AI rules matter just as much as social media boundaries.

Why This Conversation Matters

COVID reshaped teen social development. Now, generative AI parenting conversations are essential.

If we don’t teach ethical AI use and teen online safety, someone else — or the algorithm — will.

AI isn’t the enemy. But unmanaged use can be harmful.

🔗 Resources for Parents, Teens & Educators

OpenAI – AI Literacy Resources
👉 https://openai.com

#GoodforMEdia (Stanford)
👉 https://goodformedias.stanford.edu

Common Sense Media AI Lessons
👉 https://www.commonsensemedia.org

Family Engagement: Understanding AI
👉 https://www.commonsense.org/education/family-engagement
Be Internet Awesome (Google)
👉 https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com
UEN Digital Citizenship
👉 https://www.uen.org/digitalsafety
SAFE AI Initiative Hub
👉 https://safe.ai
Raspberry Pi Foundation – AI Safety
👉 https://www.raspberrypi.org

🎙 Show Information

Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain
Website: https://Momsbrainisacoffeestain.buzzsprout.com

Social Media: @momsbrainisacoffeestain
Email: momsbrainisacoffeestain@outlook.com

Subscribe on Buzzsprout for two-day early access and supporter perks.

Raising kids in the age of artificial intelligence requires conversation — not panic.

See you next Tuesday. Go sip one for us. ☕💛

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In this powerful and relatable episode of Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain, host Kayla sits down with parenting coach Melissa Schulz, known for helping parents yell less and smile more. Together, they dive into the realities of parenting strong-willed, highly sensitive, and neurodiverse children — and why traditional parenting advice often falls flat.

Melissa shares her journey from working with children with severe behavioral challenges to supporting moms at the nervous-system level, helping them stay calm, confident, and connected even in the hardest moments. This conversation is full of real-life examples, validation for exhausted parents, and practical strategies you can start using today.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, guilty, or stuck in a cycle of yelling and regret, this episode is for you.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Why yelling may “work” short-term but damages connection long-term
• The difference between willful disobedience and emotional dysregulation
• How strong-willed and neurodiverse brains process emotions differently
• Why generic parenting advice doesn’t work for every child
• The impact of mom guilt vs. shame — and how to break the cycle
• How to regulate your nervous system before correcting behavior
• Setting clear boundaries without escalating emotions
• Using consistent systems and consequences instead of power struggles
• Melissa’s 5-step GUIDE Framework for understanding and changing behavior

Guest Information

Melissa Schulz
Parenting Coach | Nervous System Regulation for Moms

🌐 Website: http://www.melissaschulz.com/
📱 Facebook & Instagram: @ConfidentlyMommin'

Melissa helps parents understand the why behind their child’s behavior and teaches practical tools that create calmer homes, stronger connections, and more confident parenting — especially for families navigating ADHD, autism, anxiety, and big emotions.

About the Podcast

Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain is a podcast for real moms navigating real life — parenting, mental load, neurodiversity, burnout, and everything in between. Honest conversations, practical tools, and a whole lot of grace.

🌐 Website: https://momsbrainisacoffeestain.buzzsprout.com
📱 Social Media: @momsbrainisacoffeestain
📧 Email: Momsbrainisacoffeestain@outlook.com

Listen, Share & Subscribe

If this episode resonated with you, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with another mom who needs to hear she’s not alone. 💛

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In this powerful conversation, host Kayla sits down with licensed therapist and author Katie K. May to discuss her book You're On Fire, It's Fine: Effective Strategies for Parenting Teens with Self-Destructive Behaviors. Katie shares practical, compassionate tools for parents navigating the challenges of raising emotionally intense ("fire feeler") teens—especially those with high-risk or self-destructive behaviors.

Drawing from her personal experiences, her own parenting journey, and her expertise as a DBT-specialized therapist, Katie offers mindset shifts, de-escalation techniques, and relationship repair strategies that help parents regulate first, validate emotions, and build connection instead of conflict.

Whether your teen slams doors, struggles with overwhelming feelings, or you're grieving the shift from "baby" to independent young adult—this episode is filled with actionable insights to help you show up as the calm, steady presence your teen needs.

Key topics include:

• What "fire feelers" are and why common phrases like "just sleep on it" backfire
• The "notice and name" skill for emotional regulation
• Radical acceptance vs. resignation when parenting doesn't look like you imagined
• Breaking escalation cycles with the parental stress meter
• The Hierarchy of Connection for repairing damaged relationships
• Why validation comes before solutions (and how to stop "emotional helicopter parenting")

Grab a copy of You're On Fire, It's Fine and start implementing these strategies today.

Guest Bio

Katie K. May, LPC is a therapist, national speaker, and one of only a handful of Linehan Board Certified DBT clinicians. She specializes in supporting teens with depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and intense emotions. Katie is the owner and executive director of Creative Healing and the author of You're On Fire, It's Fine: Effective Strategies for Parenting Teens with Self-Destructive Behaviors. She lives in the Philadelphia area with her family.

Key Takeaways / Quotes

• "When you are someone who has these big and overwhelming feelings, you're a deep feeler, it often feels like you are on fire with your emotions." – Katie K. May
• "Validation comes before change."
• "It's never too late to repair the relationship."
• "Parents go first—we practice and model the skills we want to see in our children."
• "The good news is that there's a theory called the good enough parent... you only need to get this right 20% of the time."

Resources Mentioned

• Book: You're On Fire, It's Fine: Effective Strategies for Parenting Teens with Self-Destructive Behaviors by Katie K. May → Buy it online anywhere books are sold → Free chapter + more at: youreonfireitsfine.com

Connect with Katie

• Instagram: @katiekmay
• Instagram: @creative_healing
• TikTok: @teensupportcenter
• Facebook: @Creative Healing
• LinkedIn: Katie K. May

Connect with Kayla / the Show
Website: Momsbrainisacoffeestain.buzzsprout.com

• Social Media: @Momsbrainisacoffeestain (everywhere—Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)
• Email: Momsbrainisacoffeestain@outlook.com
• Subscribe for more conversations on parenting, personal growth, and real-life strategies
• Share your biggest takeaway in the comments or DM!

Thanks for listening—rooting for you and your family. You've got this.

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🎙️ Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of Moms Brain Is a Coffee Stain, host Kayla sits down with Dr. Angele Close, clinical psychologist and motherhood coach, for a powerful conversation about motherhood, emotional regulation, anger, identity shifts, and the magic that can exist alongside the mess.

Dr. Close shares compassionate, real-world insight into why motherhood can feel so overwhelming, how anger often shows up as a signal rather than a failure, and what it looks like to parent ourselves while raising our children. This episode is a must-listen for moms who feel stretched thin, emotionally overloaded, or stuck in cycles of guilt and burnout—but still want to reconnect with joy and meaning.

✨ What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Why motherhood can amplify emotions we didn’t even know were there
• How anger in motherhood is often misunderstood—and what it’s really trying to tell us
• The importance of self-compassion over self-judgment
• Letting go of the pressure to be a “perfect mom”
• Reclaiming joy, play, and magic in everyday motherhood
• How nervous system regulation impacts our parenting responses
• Breaking generational patterns with awareness instead of shame

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Anger is not the enemy—it’s information
• You are not broken for struggling in motherhood
• Regulation starts with awareness, not control
• Small mindset shifts can create big emotional relief
• Motherhood is allowed to be both hard and beautiful

💬 Notable Quotes

“Motherhood has a way of bringing everything to the surface.”
“Anger is often grief, exhaustion, or unmet needs trying to be heard.”
“You don’t need to fix yourself—you need to be supported.”

👩‍⚕️ About the Guest

Dr. Angele Close is a clinical psychologist and motherhood coach who supports women through the emotional highs and lows of motherhood. Her work focuses on helping moms understand their nervous systems, navigate anger and overwhelm, and reconnect with themselves without shame.

🌐 Website: drangeleclose.com
📘 Book: Unburdening Motherhood → unburdeningmotherhood.com

🔗 Connect & Learn More

🌐 Podcast Website: Momsbrainisacoffeestain.buzzsprout.com
📲 Follow the Show: @Momsbrainisacoffeestain (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)
📧 Email: Momsbrainisacoffeestain@outlook.com

☕ Join the Conversation

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow mom who needs it. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and let us know your biggest takeaway—DMs and comments are always open.

You are not alone. And yes… your brain can still be magical—even with the coffee stains. 💛

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In this episode of Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain, we dive into real-life motherhood, parenting, special needs advocacy, and what it looks like to start over when life doesn’t go as planned. Host Kayla is joined by author, podcast host, and former mom entrepreneur Jessica Danel for an honest conversation about marriage, burnout, business, and resilience.

Jessica shares her journey from building a million-dollar preschool business from the ground up to stepping away when motherhood — and advocating for a child with special needs — required everything she had. She opens up about identity loss, grief, faith, marriage after 25+ years, and the unexpected courage it takes to begin again in midlife.

Together, Kayla and Jessica talk about:

• Parenting children with special needs and navigating IEP advocacy
• Trusting your gut when professionals don’t listen
• The emotional toll of being the “default parent”
• Marriage, motherhood, and long-term commitment
• Walking away from a successful business without losing yourself
• Using humor to survive trauma, burnout, and overwhelm
• Why sharing your story matters — even when it’s messy

Jessica also dives into her memoir, Bucket List From a Redneck Girl, a raw and heartfelt collection of stories about childhood trauma, faith, resilience, and the moments where God shows up when you least expect it.

This episode is for any mom who has ever felt exhausted, unseen, or unsure if she’s doing enough — and needs the reminder that starting over doesn’t mean starting from nothing.

Guest Information

Jessica Danel
Author • Podcast Host • Mom • Entrepreneur

🌐 Website:
www.jesssaying.net

🎙 Podcast:

Jess Saying with Jessica Danel

📚 Book:
Bucket List From a Redneck Girl
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FC9M66CB

📱 Social Media:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessdanel

X (Twitter): https://x.com/Jessdanel

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-danel-mba-88970283/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessdanel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jessicadanel3

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-danel-mba-88970283/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jessicadanel4240

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/jesscuz

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@jessdanel

Truth: https://truthsocial.com/@JessicaDanel

Podcast Information

🎙 Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain

📱 Follow us on social media:
@Momsbrainisacoffeestain

🎧 Listen on Buzzsprout:
https://momsbrainisacoffeestain.buzzsprout.com

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What if the question isn’t “Which college should my kid go to?” but “Is my child actually ready for what comes next?”

In this episode of Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain, Kayla sits down with Prasant Nukalapati, lifelong educator, parent, and founder of What Comes Next Ed Consulting, for a deeply honest conversation about teens, college readiness, parent anxiety, and helping young people discover their why—not just their next step.

With over 27 years of experience working with teens and families, Prasant shares why the “college conveyor belt” doesn’t work for every student, how parental pressure (even when well-intended) can cloud decision-making, and what real readiness for college actually looks like.

Together, Kayla and Prasant unpack:

• Why college should be part of the journey—not the destination
• How parent anxiety shapes teen decision-making (often without us realizing it)
• The hidden challenges students face once they get to college
• Why self-advocacy and time management matter more than test scores
• What parents of kids with IEPs and learning differences need to know before college
• The truth about FERPA and why parents may not have access to grades
• Why gap years, trade schools, and alternative paths are not “falling behind”
• How to help teens discover their personal purpose using curiosity—not pressure

Prasant also shares a powerful framework for helping teens uncover their personal why by exploring:

1. What they’re passionate about
2. What they’re genuinely good at
3. How they want to contribute to others

This episode is a must-listen for parents who want to support their kids without forcing them into a one-size-fits-all future—and for anyone who’s ever wondered if they’re doing “enough” as a parent during the college years.

Guest Information

Prasant Nukalapati
Founder, What Comes Next Ed Consulting

🌐 Website:

• https://whatcomesnextedconsulting.com
  
  
• https://wcned.com
  
  

Prasant offers free 30-minute consultations for families navigating college readiness, alternative pathways, and purpose-driven planning.

Podcast Information

🎙 Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain

📱 Follow us on social media:
@ momsbrainisacoffeestain

🎧 Listen on Buzzsprout:
https://momsbrainisacoffeestain.buzzsprout.com

📧 Email us:
momsbrainisacoffeestain@outlook.com

Support the show

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What does it really mean to “be that guy” in today’s world—and how can parents support their sons without pushing them further away?

In this powerful and honest conversation, Kayla sits down with DJ Logory, founder of Be That Guy, to talk about what’s really going on with young men today. DJ shares his own story of feeling lost in his early 20s, why confidence and direction can’t be forced by parents, and how habits, accountability, and community can completely change a young man’s trajectory.

Together, they unpack:

• Why so many young men feel stuck, unmotivated, or overwhelmed
• What parents often get wrong when trying to “help” their sons
• How small daily habits build confidence, discipline, and self-trust
• What young men actually want (but rarely say out loud)
• How parents can support growth without overstepping

This episode is a must-listen for parents raising sons, young men trying to figure out their next chapter, and anyone who wants to better understand masculinity, emotional intelligence, and growth in today’s culture.

Guest Information
DJ Logory
Instagram: @DJLogory
Website: http://www.bethatguyclub.com/

Podcast Information
Email: momsbrainisacoffeestain@outlook.com

Instagram & Socials: @momsbrainisacoffeestain
Buzzsprout: https://momsbrainisacoffeestain.buzzsprout.com

🎧 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share this episode with a parent or young adult who needs to hear it.

#Momsbrainisacoffeestain #BeThatGuy #PodMatch

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If your kid has rolled their eyes at you more times today than you’ve sipped your coffee… welcome home. In this episode of Moms Brain Is a Coffee Stain, Kayla and Crystal dive into the wild zone between strict parenting and gentle parenting — and why most of us are just doing our best in the messy middle.

From teen negotiations that feel like hostage situations, to real-life stories of safety, boundaries, emotional validation, and those “I just have a bad feeling” moments… this episode is for every parent trying to keep their kids alive and somewhat respectful.

We’re talking:• How to keep open communication without becoming a doormat• Why safety trumps “but everyone else gets to!”• How to stand firm without turning your home into a supermax• The difference between advocating and pestering• And why you are NOT your teen’s best friend (yet)

Oh, and Kayla spills a teenage confession that may make you feel way better about your own wild years. You’re welcome.

Grab your mug. Pop in your earbuds. Let’s survive parenting together.

✨ Follow the show for more weekly chaos + mom camaraderie!⭐️ Leave a 5-star review if this episode gave you a laugh, an insight, or a moment of “same, girl.”

Find us on social:Instagram · TikTok · Facebook → @momsbrainisacoffeestain

BuzzSprout Page:⁠https://momsbrainisacoffeestain.buzzsprout.com⁠

Email:momsbrainisacoffeestain@outlook.com

Send in:– Your best “saying no without guilt” hack– Your funniest cringe-mom moment– Topics you want us to rant about next!

New episodes every Tuesday.Love y’all, mean it. Sip a coffee for all of us. ☕💛

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