Are power struggles over the dinner table draining your energy?

If you think picky eating is just for toddlers, think again. For many moms of teens and preteens, the battle over nutrition only gets harder as kids seek more independence. In this episode of the Positively Healthy Mom Podcast, host Laura Ollinger sits down with TEDx speaker and creator of Teens Cook Real Food, Katie Kimball, to discuss how to transform your teen from a passive consumer to a confident chef.

We dive deep into the transition of responsibility—the moment in adolescence when parenting teenagers shifts from doing everything for them to preparing them for independent living.

• “What do I do when my teen refuses to try new foods?”
• “How do I stay connected to my teen without nagging about their diet?”
• “How do I reduce the “what’s for dinner?” overwhelm and burnout by reducing the stress of family meals?”
• “How can I help my teenager build confidence through cooking?”

Katie Kimball reveals her research-backed strategies for raising resilient teenagers who actually want to be in the kitchen:

• The "Hook" Strategy: How to connect cooking to the things your teen already cares about—whether it’s fueling for student athletes, the chemistry of baking, or saving money for their first car.
• Agency over Authority: Why letting your teen choose the seasonings or the cooking method can stop a power struggle before it starts.
• The Power of Exposure: How simply having your teen wash produce or prep a side dish provides the sensory exposure they need to eventually try new things.
• Reducing the Mental Load: Why teaching life skills in the kitchen is the ultimate mom burnout recovery tool, turning your family into a "team" rather than a restaurant.

Tune in every Wednesday for more deep-dive conversations with experts designed to help you navigate the high-pressure years of parenting teens with more connection and less stress.

• Exclusive Link for Listeners: https://raisinghealthyfamilies.com/PositivelyHealthyMom
• Katie Kimball: Follow her at on Instagram @raisinghealthyfamilies

• Follow on Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching
• Learn More: ThePositivelyHealthyMom.com

Are you sitting at the kitchen table with your teen this week, staring at a course registration sheet and wondering, "Does this actually matter for college?" In Part 2 of our deep dive into the college admissions landscape, host Laura Ollinger continues her conversation with Jenna Schebell, founder of The College Navigators. While our last episode focused on the "limbo" of senior year, today we’re looking at the strategic foundation every student needs to build long before they hit "submit" on a college application.

Jenna breaks down the gold standard for high school course selection: The "Five-Four" Rule. We discuss why staying in the five core academic subjects—Math, Science, English, History, and World Language—for all four years is the secret to a competitive transcript. Plus, we tackle the big question for future STEM and Business majors: How do we get to Calculus?

The game is changing. As AI begins to influence (and read) college essays, universities are fighting back with high-tech "hoops." Jenna reveals a new trend: on-the-spot video prompts in student portals. We discuss how these interviews are becoming the new trend for admissions officers and how they mirror the modern corporate hiring process.

If your student is still in middle school or just starting high school, this episode is for you. Understanding the "math trajectory" and the business mindset of admissions early on allows you to help your child reach their goals without the last-minute panic of senior year. Whether you are signing up for courses this spring or just beginning to think about the future, Jenna’s insights will help you trade "application anxiety" for a clear, manageable plan.

• The Five-Four Rule: Why consistency in core classes beats "niche" electives every time.
• Calculus Readiness: How to map out a math path that keeps elite colleges interested.
• AI vs. The Human Factor: How video prompts are replacing (or supplementing) the traditional essay.
• The Business Puzzle: Why a 3.8 GPA looks different depending on your specific high school "profile."
• Comparison Trap: How to help your teen "stay in their lane" and focus on personal fit over prestige.

• Jenna Schebell: The College Navigators | Instagram: @‌thecollegenavigators
• The Navigator Network: Join Jenna’s month-to-month membership for virtual college counseling and expert webinars.

• Laura Ollinger: Positively Healthy Coaching | Instagram: @‌positivelyhealthymom

It’s February, and for many high school seniors and their parents, the "college limbo" has officially set in. Between waiting on regular decision letters and navigating unexpected deferrals, the stress at home can be at an all-time high. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Laura Ollinger sits down with Jenna Schebell, founder of The College Navigators, to pull back the curtain on the final stages of the college admissions process.

Jenna, an independent education consultant with over 20 years of experience, explains why the power dynamic is finally shifting. Now that the applications are in, it’s time for your teen to move from "applicant" to "decision-maker."

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Decision Central" Mindset: How to handle the anxiety of not knowing where you’re going while peers are already posting their roommates.
• The Truth About Deferrals: What is "yield protection" and why do colleges keep students in limbo even when they are highly qualified?
• Choosing the Right Major: The strategic difference between direct-admit programs (like nursing and engineering) versus exploratory paths.
• Evaluating College Fit: Why attending an admitted students day is the best way to test the "vibe" and community values.
• The Summer Start Advantage: Why starting college in the summer might actually lead to a smoother social transition for your teen.

Whether you are navigating college application stress or trying to help your child choose between two different majors, Jenna provides the logical and emotional roadmap parents need right now.

Resources Mentioned:

• The College Navigators
• Follow Jenna Schebell on Instagram
• Positively Healthy Coaching: Connect with Laura Ollinger for parent and teen well-being support, including coaching around the college admissions time of life.

Next Steps: Stay tuned for Part 2 next week, where we dive deeper into this conversation with Jenna Schebell, founder of The College Navigators. If your teen is selecting high school courses and not quite in the college admissions phase, this one is for you!