The Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious Generation

When my son Zak Koenigs, founder of Prospect Forge, walked back into the studio for this second conversation, I could feel immediately that something had shifted in him, and honestly, that shift is the whole reason I brought him back. We went deep on the data that should be keeping every parent of a son up at night: Scott Galloway's finding that 1 in 7 young men now reports zero friends, Gen Z unemployment running at 8.3% (more than double the national average), and the Federal Reserve's recent report that 41% of recent college graduates are underemployed right now. Here's what Zak knows that most parents don't: the looks-maxing obsession, the nihilism, the incel rabbit holes, they all trace back to the same root, and once you understand that root, 100% of the conversation with your son changes. He also breaks down how Prospect Forge is built on "democratizing nepotism," giving young people access to the networks and mentors they were never born into, and shares what he calls the most underrated tool for parents right now, the "cellular fast." You will walk away from this episode knowing what your son might not be saying out loud, what community, forgiveness, and surrender look like as a practical action plan, and the next right thing you can do to open the door.FOR FULL SHOW NOTES & TO WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE, GO TO: badmompodcast.com/zak2KEY TAKEAWAYS:The number that will stop you cold: 1 in 7 young men has zero friends, and I finally understand what that silence actually looks like inside our homes.The looks-maxing rabbit hole is not about vanity. What Zak says it's really about will completely change how you see your son.Discover how Prospect Forge is "democratizing nepotism" and why a 23-year-old building this business might be one of the most important things happening for Gen Z right now.Why Zak believes that almost all of Gen Z's nihilism, anger, and purposelessness traces back to a single missing ingredient, and what parents can actually do about it.The "cellular fast": what it is, why it works, and why it is not about screen time rules at all.Three words Zak left me with that I keep coming back to: community, forgiveness, and surrender. He calls it the bow on everything. I call it a lifeline.There is a question you can ask your son right now that will tell you more than any lecture, any app blocker, or any conversation you have tried before.📌 Connect with Zak and Prospect ForgeProspect Forge: https://prospectforge.usRESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:👉 If you’ve ever thought, “Am I doing this right?” or felt the pain of wanting to do everything but not having the tools, this episode is for you. Listen, share it with another parent who needs healing and guidance, and subscribe to The Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious Generation. And remember: you are not a bad mom; you’re a bada$$ in a broken system. Keep fighting. 📌 Connect with Vivian Glyck & The Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious GenerationThe Bad Mom Podcast on InstagramVivian on Instagram The Bad Mom Podcast on FacebookThe Bad Mom Podcast on YouTubeThe Bad Mom Podcast on TikTokThe Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious Generation is a Project Grit initiative: fortifying mental wellness for the next generation.Just Like My Child Foundation is a proud nonprofit partner of Project, committed to equipping today's youth with the tools they need to thrive and build a better future. For Moms Running on Empty…This Coffee Hits Different We are so excited to welcome Dave Asprey’s Danger Coffee as the first official sponsor of Project Grit and Bad Mom Podcast. The truth is that I am addicted to Danger Coffee and I won’t drink any other coffee so it’s a good thing there are so many great benefits to it! The flavor is way better than other premium brands and I get the caffeine support without the jitters. Get 10% off your next purchase here and keep Project Grit and Bad Mom Podcast afloat: https://dangercoffee.com/

When JJ Virgin was on the show recently, we barely scratched the surface on something that has genuinely changed how I think about fueling my brain and body. I had to bring her back because this conversation is too important, especially for those of us running on empty, dealing with anxiety, or just trying to keep up with the relentless demands of modern parenting. JJ breaks down the research on creatine, and I'm not talking about some bro-science gym supplement. We're talking about mental clarity, stress resilience, and even studies showing women on SSRIs who weren't getting better finally finding relief when they added creatine. You'll walk away understanding why most of us are deficient, why the form of creatine matters way more than you've been told, and exactly how to use this tool to feel more like yourself again.Order JJ’s SHEatine today: https://badmompodcast.com/creatineFOR FULL SHOW NOTES & TO WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE, GO TO: badmompodcast.com/brainboostKEY TAKEAWAYS:Why the supplement world got creatine completely wrong, and what that means for exhausted moms everywhereThe shocking absorption truth about the creatine most people are taking (hint: it's not what you think)What happened when researchers gave creatine to women who weren't responding to antidepressantsThe invisible stress-tax modern life is charging your body, and how to stop paying itWhy "just eat more protein" isn't the whole answer for women over 40JJ's secret weapon for crushing jet lag and sleep deprivation without the crashHow to actually feel the difference without bloating, gut issues, or bulking up📌 Connect with JJ VirginOrder JJ’s SHEatine todayJJ’s websiteJJ’s storeWell Beyond 40 podcastRESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:👉 If you’ve ever thought, “Am I doing this right?” or felt the pain of wanting to do everything but not having the tools, this episode is for you. Listen, share it with another parent who needs healing and guidance, and subscribe to The Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious Generation. And remember: you are not a bad mom; you’re a bada$$ in a broken system. Keep fighting. 📌 Connect with Vivian Glyck & The Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious GenerationThe Bad Mom Podcast on InstagramVivian on Instagram The Bad Mom Podcast on FacebookThe Bad Mom Podcast on YouTubeThe Bad Mom Podcast on TikTokThe Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious Generation is a Project Grit initiative: fortifying mental wellness for the next generation.Just Like My Child Foundation is a proud nonprofit partner of Project, committed to equipping today's youth with the tools they need to thrive and build a better future.

Here's the thing: 90% of women don't just dislike their bodies. They hate them. And whether we want to admit it or not, we're passing that straight to our kids. Jennifer Joy Jimenez gets it because she lived it. From professional dancer with severe body dysmorphia to transformational health coach, she discovered something most therapists won't tell you: five minutes of freeform dance is more effective than antidepressants. And when our kids are hunched over screens like they're using fentanyl, stuck in their heads and disconnected from their bodies, this isn't just about fitness. It's about survival. You'll walk away knowing exactly how to use movement as medicine for yourself and your anxious kids, and why the daily dose of dance might be the intervention your family desperately needs.FOR FULL SHOW NOTES & TO WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE, GO TO: badmompodcast.com/jenniferKEY TAKEAWAYS:The body dysmorphia math that should terrify every mother (and what Jennifer's daughter said that made her burst into tears)Why sitting is the new smoking, and what screen addiction is actually doing to your kid's nervous systemThe scientific reason five minutes of freeform movement beats both antidepressants and regular exerciseWhat changed between Jennifer's 55-hour traumatic first birth and her 90-minute second birth (hint: it wasn't luck)The non-negotiable house rules Jennifer enforced around devices, TV, and movement that actually workedWhy your crabby teenager will eventually join your "crazy" dance party (even when they think you've lost it)The prescription for the 3pm slump that doesn't involve coffee or shame📌 Connect with JenniferBrave Thinking Institute: https://www.bravethinkinginstitute.com/Transcendance: https://www.bravethinkinginstitute.com/health-wellbeing/resources/ws/transcendance-masterclass/register/stRESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:👉 If you’ve ever thought, “Am I doing this right?” or felt the pain of wanting to do everything but not having the tools, this episode is for you. Listen, share it with another parent who needs healing and guidance, and subscribe to The Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious Generation. And remember: you are not a bad mom; you’re a bada$$ in a broken system. Keep fighting. 📌 Connect with Vivian Glyck & The Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious GenerationThe Bad Mom Podcast on InstagramVivian on Instagram The Bad Mom Podcast on FacebookThe Bad Mom Podcast on YouTubeThe Bad Mom Podcast on TikTokThe Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious Generation is a Project Grit initiative: fortifying mental wellness for the next generation.Just Like My Child Foundation is a proud nonprofit partner of Project, committed to equipping today's youth with the tools they need to thrive and build a better future.

I remember JJ Virgin telling me years ago that her son Grant said, "I'm just gonna go get hit by a car" — and then he actually got hit by a car. Hit-and-run. Airlifted. Deep coma. Torn aorta. Multiple brain bleeds. Thirteen fractures. The doctors gave him a 0.125% chance of survival, and if he did survive, he'd be so brain damaged "it wouldn't be worth it." But here's what those doctors didn't know: JJ is a triple-board certified nutrition expert who knows more about fortifying the body and brain than anyone I've ever met, and she refused to accept those odds. In this raw, powerful conversation, JJ opens up about how she used everything from high-dose fish oil to essential aminos to rebuild Grant's brain, why she ran hospital stairs every single day to manage her anxiety, and the counterintuitive truth that saved both their lives — she put herself first. Here's what JJ knows that most parents don't: if you go down, everyone goes down. You'll walk away knowing exactly what to do tomorrow when you feel like you're drowning, why gratitude is a choice (not a feeling), and how exercise might be more powerful than any SSRI your kid's doctor wants to prescribe.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Why “good moms” feel like bad moms — and why that feeling is actually a sign you’re doing it right. Hint: the moms who should worry… aren’t.The brain-healing hack that defies survival odds. Clean fish oil and a few key nutrients made all the difference. Could this help your kid recover faster than you think?Exercise vs. SSRIs: One wins every time — and it’s not what you expect. Just getting off the couch might be the most powerful mental health tool you’ve got.Your kid needs you… but the strong version of you. Self-care isn’t selfish. Sleep, movement, and stress management are the ultimate acts of parenting.The “one thing” trick that gets you through chaos. Spoiler: it’s never about doing everything. Just the next right thing.Gratitude that actually works. It’s not about journaling your latte. It’s about spotting tiny signs of progress and hope—even in the mess.Tomorrow’s challenge: Treat yourself as urgently as your child’s needs. Pick your one thing. Protect your energy. Your kid can’t thrive if you don’t.📌 Connect with JJ VirginJJ’s websiteJJ’s storeWell Beyond 40 podcastRESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:👉 If you’ve ever thought, “Am I doing this right?” or felt the pain of wanting to do everything but not having the tools, this episode is for you. Listen, share it with another parent who needs healing and guidance, and subscribe to The Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious Generation. And remember: you are not a bad mom; you’re a bada$$ in a broken system. Keep fighting. 📌 Connect with Vivian Glyck & The Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious GenerationThe Bad Mom Podcast on InstagramVivian on Instagram The Bad Mom Podcast on FacebookThe Bad Mom Podcast on YouTubeThe Bad Mom Podcast on TikTokThe Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious Generation is a Project Grit initiative: fortifying mental wellness for the next generation.Just Like My Child Foundation is a proud nonprofit partner of Project, committed to equipping today's youth with the tools they need to thrive and build a better future.

When we see our kids sinking into anxiety, depression, or even addiction, our first instinct is: “How do I fix them?” We scramble for therapists, schools, treatments, and programs, anything that might help our child get better.But here’s the hard truth: in many cases, it’s not only your child who needs help, you do too.Addiction and mental health struggles rarely live in isolation. They ripple through the entire family system, quietly shaping how we respond, cope, and even enable. Parents often carry just as much wounding, fear, shame, and unprocessed trauma as the kids they’re trying to rescue. And until we confront our own patterns, we risk perpetuating the cycle.In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur, bestselling author, and founder of Genius Network® and Genius Recovery, Joe Polish. Joe’s worked through the pain of childhood trauma and years of drug addiction. Now he’s building one of the most respected recovery movements in the world.Together, we explore why parents must be part of the recovery process, why control often makes things worse, and how connection, community, and unlearning our own patterns open the path to healing.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Parents need help tooWhen a child struggles, families often focus all energy on “fixing” the kid. Why is it hard to make recovery work unless parents also seek support and do their own healing? Unlearning before learningOur instinct is to add more, more advice, more structure, more effort. Do the biggest shifts come from unlearning old survival patterns first? Recovery never happens aloneAddiction thrives in isolation, secrecy, and shame. What kind of support actually changes outcomes?The biochemical & environmental trapsWhat can parents change in the home environment that dramatically shifts a child’s likelihood of recovery?RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:👉 If you’ve ever thought, “Am I doing this right?” or felt the pain of wanting to do everything but not having the tools, this episode is for you. Listen, share it with another parent who needs healing and guidance, and subscribe to The Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious Generation. And remember: you are not a bad mom; you’re a bada$$ in a broken system. Keep fighting.📌 Connect with Joe PolishJoe’s websiteRead his book, “Life Gives To The Giver”Visit geniusrecovery.orgJoe on InstagramJoe on YouTube 📌 Connect with Vivian Glyck & The Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious GenerationThe Bad Mom Podcast on InstagramVivian on Instagram The Bad Mom Podcast on FacebookThe Bad Mom Podcast on YouTubeThe Bad Mom Podcast on TikTokThe Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious Generation is a Project Grit initiative: fortifying mental wellness for the next generation.Just Like My Child Foundation is a proud nonprofit partner of Project, committed to equipping today's youth with the tools they need to thrive and build a better future.

We’ve created a generation that’s overstimulated, overprotected, and underprepared for real life.In this raw and revealing conversation, Dave Asprey — the father of biohacking, four-time New York Times bestselling author, and host of The Human Upgrade Podcast — joins Vivian Glyck to talk about the biology of anxiety and why calm, consistent boundaries are the key to raising resilient kids.Dave explains how fear, ego, and overstimulation are rewiring our children’s nervous systems, and why the solution starts with us. From his “Five F-Words” framework (Fear, Food, F***ing, Friend, and Forgiveness) to the “BICEP” method for resetting dopamine, Dave gives parents a scientific roadmap for leading from peace instead of panic.He doesn’t hold back:“Until you get a job, it’s my rule.” “Your nervous system is your child’s blueprint.” “We’ve created a generation afraid of discomfort — that’s how you kill resilience.”If you’ve ever felt like your child’s anxiety was your fault, this episode will help you reframe the conversation — and retrain your own biology — so you can parent from calm authority, not fear.Key Takeaways:Boundaries are love — not control. Calm leadership creates safety.Anxiety starts in the body before the brain — fix the hardware first.The 5 F-Words driving all human behavior: Fear, Food, F***ing (fertility), Friend, Forgiveness.Discomfort builds resilience; avoidance breeds fragility.How forgiveness acts as a neurological reset button.The BICEP method: Brief, Intentional, Conscious Exposure to Pain.Regulate yourself — your child’s nervous system is mirroring yours.TIME STAMPS00:00 — Intro: Why Dave Asprey Matters Vivian welcomes Dave Asprey, founder of the biohacking movement, author of Heavily Meditated, and father navigating the anxious generation.02:10 — The Epidemic of Anxiety in Kids and Parents Why our kids aren’t “broken” — they’re overloaded. Dave explains how overstimulation and isolation are reprogramming young brains.05:45 — Dave’s Childhood: Anxiety, Asperger’s, and Rebuilding His Brain How Dave reversed chronic anxiety, OCD, and oppositional defiance through experimentation, biology, and environment.10:20 — The Science of Fear: How Mitochondria Drive Behavior Dave reveals his “Five F-Words” that explain every human reaction: Fear, Food, F*ing, Friend, and Forgiveness.**14:35 — The Real Source of Anxiety: Your Hardware, Not Just Your Head Why anxiety starts in the body — and how biology, not willpower, drives our emotions.17:40 — Parenting from Biology, Not Blame Vivian and Dave explore how parents unconsciously pass anxiety through their nervous systems to their kids.20:05 — The “Until You Get a Job” Rule: Calm Authority in Action Dave’s viral line — “Until you get a job, it’s my rule.” What it really means about leadership, love, and healthy boundaries.22:45 — Boundaries Are Love, Not Control Why calm consistency builds safety and why over-negotiating erodes trust and resilience.25:50 — Forgiveness as a Nervous System Reset Dave’s eighth-step “Reset Process” — how forgiveness isn’t a thought but a state change that turns off chronic stress.29:20 — The BICEP Method: Rewiring Dopamine and Motivation Brief, Intentional, Conscious Exposure to Pain — the neuroscience behind cold plunges, discomfort, and resilience training for kids and adults.33:40 — From Panic to Peace: Parenting as Nervous System Leadership Dave’s blueprint for helping parents manage themselves first, so kids can model calm instead of chaos.37:25 — Raising Resilient Kids in a Digital World Why screen time, dopamine addiction, and helicopter parenting make kids weaker — and how to reverse it.40:30 — Lessons from the Wise Elders Dave’s call for multi-generational mentorship — why kids need guidance from adults who’ve actually suffered and learned.44:05 — The Hard Truth About Comfort and Growth“If it’s scary, do it anyway.” Why resilience is built through discomfort — and how we’ve accidentally taught our kids to fear it.47:10 — How to Reprogram Your Own Biology Dave’s closing advice: biohack your nervous system, set better boundaries, and raise kids who can face real life without fear.50:15 — Final Thoughts: Calm Is the New Discipline Vivian and Dave close with hope for parents raising kids in the anxious generation — connection over control, calm over chaos.Connect with Dave Asprey on The Human Upgrade Podcast📱 Instagram📺 YouTube📘 TikTokGet Dave's book: Heavily Meditated📌 Connect with Vivian Glyck & The Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious GenerationBad Mom Podcast on InstagramVivian on Instagram Bad Mom Podcast on FacebookBad Mom Podcast on YouTubeBad Mom Podcast on TikTokThe Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious Generation is a Project Grit initiative: fortifying mental wellness for the next generation.Just Like My Child Foundation is a proud nonprofit partner of Project, committed to equipping today's youth with the tools they need to thrive and build a better future.

What do you do when your child shuts down, drifts away, or escapes into dangerous coping—and nothing you try seems to work?In this raw and hopeful episode of The Bad Mom Podcast, Vivian Glyck talks with Andre Norman, once a gang leader in maximum security prison, now a Harvard fellow and world-renowned mentor known as The Ambassador of Hope.Andre shares his powerful journey and gives parents tools to:Truly listen to their kids without judgmentRespect independence as part of identityConfront shame and silence in suburbiaFind the trusted voice their child will listen toAct preventatively instead of waiting for crisisIf you’ve ever felt powerless watching your child struggle, this episode will help you breathe again—and remind you that transformation is possible.✨ Resources & Next Steps ✔️ Join the Bad Mom Community for more healing conversations. ✔️ Share this episode with another parent who feels alone—you’re not.📌Connect with Andre Norman 🌐 AndreNorman.com & SecondChanceUniversity.org 📱 Instagram 📺 YouTube📘 Facebook 🔗 LinkedIn⏲️ TikTok 📌 Connect with Vivian Glyck & The Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious GenerationBad Mom Podcast on InstagramVivian on Instagram Bad Mom Podcast on FacebookBad Mom Podcast on YouTubeBad Mom Podcast on TikTokThe Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious Generation is a Project Grit initiative: fortifying mental wellness for the next generation.Just Like My Child Foundation is a proud nonprofit partner of Project, committed to equipping today's youth with the tools they need to thrive and build a better future.

➡️ Get your family talking again ➡️https://bit.ly/lisanicholsDownload Lisa Nichols' free guide to "Move From Constant Conflict to Genuine Connection".In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Vivian sits down with her friend Lisa Nichols for a raw, healing talk on parenting, depression, guilt, and radical love. From creating safe spaces to allowing the freedom to fail, Lisa shares how parents can stop judging, start listening, and raise resilient kids.Key TakeawaysYou are not failing because your child struggles…you’re human, and so are they.Safe spaces built on no judgment, no repercussions, and unconditional love transform communication.Teens don’t need us to fix their feelings; they need us to validate them.Failure isn’t the enemy; shame and silence are.Radical love and emotional intelligence create resilience for both parent and child.Timestamps [00:00] Meet Lisa Nichols, Founder of Motivating The Teen Spirit [02:00] Have You Ever Felt Like a Bad Mom? [04:00] Light vs. Darkness [06:00] Lisa’s Origin Story & Suicidal Thoughts as a Teen [09:00] Saving a Life Through Listening [12:00] Emotional Safety is a Necessity [17:00] Kids Need The Freedom to Fail [20:00] Safe Space: No Judgment, No Repercussions, Unconditional Love [24:00] Kids Living in the Shadow of Their Parents [29:00] Closing Reflections ✨ Resources & Next StepsSubscribe to this podcast for more conversations like this here. If this episode resonates with you, share it with another parent. 👉 If you’ve ever felt powerless, judged, or like a “bad mom,” this episode is for you. Listen, share it with another parent who needs healing, and subscribe to The Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious Generation. And remember: you don’t have to parent alone. Together, we can raise resilient kids with radical love. 📌 Connect with Lisa NicholsMotivating the Teen SpiritInstagramFacebookLinkedINYouTube 📌 Connect with Vivian Glyck & The Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious GenerationBad Mom Podcast on InstagramVivian on Instagram Bad Mom Podcast on FacebookBad Mom Podcast on YouTubeBad Mom Podcast on TikTokThe Bad Mom Podcast: Parenting The Anxious Generation is a Project Grit initiative: fortifying mental wellness for the next generation.Just Like My Child Foundation is a proud nonprofit partner of Project, committed to equipping today's youth with the tools they need to thrive and build a better future.