EPIC Conversations for Parents & Carers of Teens In Crisis

In this conversations, Madeleine talks with Julie, Clinical Lead at the Northern Sydney Sexual Assault Service, to discuss child sexual abuse, common myths, grooming behaviours, and the evolving risks for young people, both online and offline. Julie offers practical guidance for parents and carers on building safety, trust, and open communication, and shares where families can access support across Northern Sydney and beyond. To view the episode transcript and access the shared list of supports, go to the EPIC Website at https://www.empoweringparentsincrisis.com/epic-conversations-podcast/child-sexual-assault-and-grooming

This conversation with Vivienne Li explores why knowing yourself as a parent - your values, strengths, and emotional triggers - is key to building stronger connections with your young person. Vivienne shares practical, compassionate insights to help parents understand their inner world, respond with intention, and navigate challenges with greater confidence. To view the episode transcript, go to the EPIC Website at https://www.empoweringparentsincrisis.com/epic-conversations-podcast/vivienne-li To learn more or connect with Vivianne, go to Together Parent Support — or Together Parent Coaching

In this relaxed conversation, Madeleine chats with Nicky Hammond, a certified master life coach, breathwork practitioner, and long‑time friend of EPIC. Nicky shares how combining mindset work with somatic practices like breathwork can help parents regulate their nervous systems, reconnect with what truly matters, and make grounded decisions even in moments of overwhelm. To view the episode transcript, go to the EPIC Website at https://www.empoweringparentsincrisis.com/epic-conversations-podcast/nicky-hammond To learn more or connect with Nicky Hammond, visit her website here - https://www.nickyhammond.com/

In this episode of EPIC Conversations, Madeleine introduces the Six Stages of Change and explores how this model can help parents better understand behaviour, readiness, and resistance to change. With a focus on connection, safety, and trust, this episode offers practical insights for parents supporting young people through mental health challenges, risky behaviours, and moments of crisis — reminding us that change is not linear, and pushing too hard can often push change away. To view the episode transcript, go to the EPIC website at https://www.empoweringparentsincrisis.com/epic-conversations-podcast/stages-of-change

In this powerful episode, Madeleine talks with key note speaker and youth advocate Jason Blyth, who opens up about his extraordinary journey from trauma to purpose. Through raw honesty and unforgettable metaphors, he shares how pain can shape us, how hope can return, and why every young person deserves to hold their own pen. A moving conversation for any parent seeking reassurance and inspiration. To view the episode transcript, go to the EPIC Website at https://www.empoweringparentsincrisis.com/epic-conversations-podcast/jason-blyth

Madeleine chats with Tiffany Westphal from School Can’t Australia about what happens when a young person finds it too hard to attend school. Tiffany shares her lived experience as a parent, the common challenges families face, and how peer support can make all the difference. Together, they explore advocacy, self-care, and the importance of understanding that parents are not alone in this journey. To view the episode transcript, go to the EPIC Website at https://www.empoweringparentsincrisis.com/epic-conversations-podcast/understanding-school-cant

In this insightful conversation, Madeleine speaks with Dr. Anthony Rigney about the power of connection, curiosity, and emotional regulation in parenting. Anthony shares practical strategies for building epistemic trust— a young person’s openness to receiving guidance — through everyday acts of understanding and kindness. To view the episode transcript, go to the EPIC Website at https://www.empoweringparentsincrisis.com/epic-conversations-podcast/tell-me-more-about-that

In this episode, Peter Coyle shares his journey from corporate life to becoming a psychotherapist and introduces the concept of heart-centred listening. Peter explains how listening with empathy, awareness of your own nervous system, and understanding the Polyvagal response can help parents and carers create safe, meaningful connections with their young people. To view the episode transcript, go to the EPIC Website at https://www.empoweringparentsincrisis.com/epic-conversations-podcast/heart-centred-listening

In this episode, Josh Dunn shares his late-diagnosis journey with neurodiversity and the challenges of masking through school and early adulthood. He offers powerful insights for parents, encouraging them to slow down, step back, and view their child’s behaviour through a logical, not emotional lens.

Conversation with Skye from the Youth Engagement Project about strategies and mindset to engage with young people. To view the episode transcript, go to the EPIC Website at www.empoweringparentsincrisis.com/epic-conversations-podcast/youth-engagement-project To learn more about the Youth Engagement Project visit their website at www.youthengagementproject.com

Episode eight of EPIC Conversations is a panel discussion relating to depression and anxiety in young people and strategies for parents to understand and support them. Led by Siba from EPIC, we gain insight from Ryan Usher from Headspace, Anthony Rigney from KYDS and Sarah from The Northern Centre. This episode is the second in a series of 4 podcasts created from the Parent Support Online Expo webinar held in November last year (2023). Organisations present for the expo were: The Northern CentreMission AustraliaKYDS Youth ServicesSDECC - Sydney Drug Education Counselling CentreHeadspace ChatswoodStreetworkYouth Up Front B2B parentingTed Noffs PALMEPIC - Empowering Parents In Crisis To view the webinar and see the full transcript, please visit the EPIC Conversations web page here If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact EPIC via email on contact@empoweringparentsincrisis.com

Episode seven of EPIC Conversations is an introduction to 10 of the local youth and family support organisations in the Northern Sydney Region. It is the first in a series of 4 podcasts created from the Parent Support Online Expo webinar held in November last year (2023). In this episode, you will hear from: The Northern CentreMission AustraliaKYDS Youth ServicesSDECC - Sydney Drug Education Counselling CentreHeadspace ChatswoodStreetworkYouth Up Front B2B parentingTed Noffs PALMEPIC - Empowering Parents In Crisis To view the webinar and see the full transcript, please visit the EPIC Conversations web page here

Episode six of EPIC Conversations we talk with Fay Bird from Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury Sydney and address the topic of burnout. Burnout is now being discussed more often following everyone’s experience with COVID lockdowns and isolations. However, it’s not only connected with COVID. It’s now more broadly spoken about in terms of work, school, and it’s definitely a side effect of living with a teenager in crisis. For the full transcript go to this EPIC Conversations web page here

Episode five of EPIC Conversations addresses the topic of gambling and young people. We invited Cathy Ellis, Community Linker from Gamble Aware, to speak on this topic. Cathy shines the light on the issues that contribute to youth gambling, how common youth gambling is and how parents and carers can support young people who are engaging with gambling. For the full transcript go to this EPIC Conversations web page HERE

Episode four of EPIC Conversations is an interview with Sam, a school student support officer. We discuss the supports that may be available within your teenager’s school and how parents and carers can work together with schools to support teens when challenges arise. For the full transcript go to this EPIC Conversations web page HERE

Episode 3 of EPIC Conversations features Helen Bird from The Butterfly Foundation to discuss how parents/carers can support their young person affected by an eating or body image disorder. The Butterfly Foundation is recognised in Australia as a leading expert in concerns related to eating disorders and self image. The full transcript and contact details for the Butterfly Foundation can be found on this EPIC Conversations web page HERE

Episode two, EPIC invited Steven Gamble from Man Anchor to shed some light on the topic of self-harm and suicide ideation in relation to young people. The full episode transcript and how to connect with Man Anchor, go to the EPIC Conversation Self harm and suicide ideation page HERE

Episode one of EPIC Conversations addresses the topic of awareness surrounding teens and alcohol and other drugs. We invited Vivienne Li, drug and alcohol counsellor and group coordinator from the Sydney Drug Education Counselling Centre to speak on this topic. For the full transcript, contact information for SDECC, go to the podcast page on the EPIC website HERE