Click for full show notes, exercises, and parenting scripts from this episodeProper communication is tough enough between adults, but teenagers are a whole different game! The heightened sensitivity and emotions in teenagers means parents are more likely to find themselves in unwanted situations when talking with their teens. Communicating with teenagers in a healthy and helpful way is like walking a tightrope—it’s hard to find the right balance between getting your point across without devolving into an argument. One wrong word might trigger a fiery flare up! Or, worse, the silent treatment. Where do we even begin in turning things around?This week I spoke with communication guru Cynthia Kane, author of How to Communicate Like a Buddhist and Talk to Yourself Like a Buddhist. (Her third book in the series is due out this spring.) Cynthia's search for a Bodhisattva—a person dedicated to helping others ease their suffering—for her own life, led her on a journey to become one herself. Her medium? Communication.By using the Buddhist principle of Right Speech, Kane enlightens others on how to speak to themselves and others in positive, reforming ways. It’s all about being honest, taking time to recognize and address one’s own feelings, and finding ways to voice one’s needs and opinions in helpful ways. Kane suggests that before parents can effectively build a solid foundation of communication with their teenagers, they must first learn to listen to themselves. Parents who are unsure about their own decisions, stressed about their reputations, and caught up in past events have a much harder time listening and responding to their teen’s wants and needs. In practice, Kane’s insights help people more truthfully focus on their individual needs and build avenues of communication. These are crucial areas for parents to focus on if they want to improve and understand the relationship they have with their teen. Empathy and honesty are amazing tools for building trust between parents and teenagers, but, just like many other communication, they need to be learned and practiced. It all begins with an acute awareness of one’s own self-talk, and Kane offers a unique process to communicate your needs and wants more openly.In addition to Kane’s special approach to communication, listeners will discover:
The importance of listening first and foremost to yourself
How to combat the “shoulds” 
Shutting down toxic teenage gossip
Why silence is a key part of effective communication
It was such a treat to learn so much from Cynthia, and I know I’ll be using her strategies in my own life going forward. Parents have so much to gain from this episode, and I’m excited to share all Cynthia’s knowledge with you!