Kev Needs Advice Talking to His 13 Year Old

Ego Wodham is your host for the 2026 iHeart Podcast Awards live at South by Southwest. Hello, is anybody there? Raised by a single mom, Ego may have a few father-related issues. Are we supposed to talk about your dad? Her podcast, Thanks Dad, is full of funny, heartfelt conversations with actors, including fellow SNL alums, comedians, musicians, and more. About life and their wonderfully complicated relationships with their fathers. I think and hope that's a good thing. Get to know Ego. Follow Thanks Dad with Ego Wodum and start listening on the free iHeartRadio app today. Ready for a different take on Formula One? Look no further than No Grip, a new podcast tackling the culture of motor racing's most coveted series. Join me, Lily Herman, as we dive into the underexplored pockets of F1, including the astrology of the current grid, the story of the sport's most consequential driver's strike, and plenty of other mishaps, scandals, and sagas that have made Formula One a delightful, decadent gumster fire for more than 75 years. Listen to No Grip on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This Women's History Month, the podcast Keep It Positive, Sweetie celebrates the power of women choosing healing, purpose, and faith, even when life gets messy. Love is not a destination. You have to work on it every day. Keep It Positive, Sweetie creates space for honest conversations on self-worth, love, growth, and navigating life with grace and grit, led by women who uplift, inspire, and tell the truth out loud. I have several conversations with God and I know why it took 20 years. To hear this and more, listen to Keep It Positive, sweetie, on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. career, confidence. This isn't just a podcast. It's unconventional therapy for your entire year. Listen to DJ Hester-Prince's Music is Therapy on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. It's the new me and it's the old them. This Woman's History Month, the podcast, If You Knew Better with Amber Grimes, spotlights women who turn missteps into momentum and lessons into power. My like tunnel vision of like, I gotta achieve this was off the strengths of like, I want to make a better life for us. If You Knew Better brings real talk from women who've lived it, unpacking career pivots, relationship lessons, and the mindset shifts that changed everything. Listen to If You Knew Better with Amber Grimes on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. All right, Mojo in the Morning. Kev is looking for some advice on how to deal and talk with a 13-year-old boy. Josiah is 13 years old now, which is so wild. to think that yeah and not that i have to be a different father than the father i've already been but i feel like josiah is at that age where he's gonna you know he's a young man right now and i do feel like the conversations need to change i know you got three sons that have all been teenagers and i would love to hear you know advice from anyone dad specifically but again anyone's you know just because you're not a dad doesn't mean you don't have any advice to say that can land the right way but just in the difference of raising a teenage boy and wanting him to become a man as opposed to just raising you know this kid that i've always what has made you think about this he's 13 years old so he's growing up like he's he's he's changing by nature and i'm not going to be able to again i have i believe his mother and i have laid a proper foundation there are certain things that I think no matter what your age is, you should learn to become kind, respectful, confident, like all of that stuff. We're good, but I'm just trying to think my dad. I don't even remember what my dad taught me when I was 13 year old and maybe he led by example. I don't, I don't, but in my mind, I, I think that I need, I need to consciously raise him in a certain way so that I can make sure that he becomes a great man. And I believe starting at the age of 13 is like when he starts to to go in that direction so this is more than just like a sex talk i ain't even thinking about that oh okay i thought you were talking about like your body's changing oh no no no no i got that okay i got that you've already had that kind of talk haven't you already just i as well aware of sex um but i haven't had like the full-on like you need to put a condom on here in these type of situations. Yeah. I remember sitting down and having a conversation. I don't know if it was 13, but how old were you when you were a freshman in high school? 13, 14. Is it 13, 14? Because he's what? 8th grade right now? He's 7th grade. Because I remember having a conversation with the boys and I would do it going into it of, hey, this is going to be kind of your last time that you are going to be able to just look at school as it's fun to get a new backpack. you know going into high school and it was it's going to be kind of like now you're preparing for your future because in the in the past i would i would always look at school as it's the fun of new clothes new friends new schools stuff like that and then it was when they went to high school where i said to them now this is where your future comes into play and i would talk to them a little bit about the idea that um everything kind of goes with you now like every like your reputation is going to go with you. Your, you know, dreams and hopes are going to get bigger or they may get smaller depending on it. Right. Obviously we start off with, I want to be a professional basketball player too. Guess what? When I'm a freshman in high school, I may not be athletic enough. You know what I mean? And then it becomes a thing of what is it that you want to do with your life? Like, you know, do you want to have your life be that you're going to start from jump and right out of college, you're gonna have a great career going, or are you gonna have to build to something And I remember having this conversation I think this is probably why Joe chose radio as weird as it sounds but I remember having this thing where I said to Joe and I said it to all of them but Joe is the one that grabbed on to the most look at people that you can look up to yeah and I would tell him to and then research them we always study the greats right we study dr. Martin Luther King or we study, you know, I don't know, Brian, you know, for me, it was Tom Brady. But we study like these people and we look at that, but not necessarily am I going to grow up and be Dr. Martin Luther King. I want you to study like who is the person like, you know, Dr. Reynolds, the orthodontist, you know what I mean? Like, I want you to look at the realism of people that are in your lives that you know, and then interview and investigate how did they get to their career. And so I think that that was the case. The other thing is, and this is something where Shannon could come into play because she has a daughter this age, maybe asking the question of moms of daughters, what is it that you want a boy that grows with your daughter to be for your daughter? And I think we all kind of have that too. I want my kids to be honorable guys. Joe is probably, it's funny, all of my boys are great. Joe is probably the most loyal human being you'll ever meet, and a lot of it is what he's learned over the years from the people he's been around. And your Joe is amazing. Appreciate it. Yeah, what kind of boy you want growing up around? Have you even thought of that? um i have not sat down and thought about that no i feel like i am in the same position of you and lucy's about to be 12 here in a couple of weeks so they're very very similar ages and i always tell her just so she understands like you're navigating becoming a teenager and becoming a young woman and mom's navigating every day still being a mom to somebody who is navigating becoming a teenager and a young woman like I'm learning as you're learning and the thing that and I don't even know if this was your question Kev to be honest but because I was listening to what Mojo had to say but I am finding myself more and more turning toward other moms and women that I really admire to become a mentor to me who have raised with young women and women and going like Gina Kelsbane from the New Day Foundation is a great example like she's she's raised a family a blended family at that and so i'm always like hey is this normal hey what would you do here hey like i've found moms in my life that i really admire how they've momed their kids and i ask them what did you do here um do you have a lot of dad friends sorry no it's okay it's okay i do but i i'm the dad in my friend group that had their child the earliest oh yeah you're doing everything first but like even what just happened with mojo yeah he's a great he'd be a great mentor and for josiah sometimes for some things for something even for josiah to find people like he said a dr ryanald yeah i like to invest back into him um but now i'm gonna go home today and damn you i'm probably not gonna be able to take a nap because i'm gonna be laying there going what kind of boys do i want lucy to surround herself like i know who her friends are that are boys. Some of them are little a-holes. Others of them I'm like, that, but I always point out, that is a good friend because you know, he checked up on you. He knew you were not feeling well and not in school and he asked if you needed anything to be brought home. And can I tell you guys something? It's going to be a blink and your kids are going to be going to college. That's another thing, bro. That's why I'm like, these next five years, he'll be 18. I've had him for 12. These next five are pivotal. And think about how the last five years went. Five years ago, we were COVID, and now look where we are. What's up, Vicki? Hey, how's everybody doing this morning? Good. What's going on? I just know I had texted in that there is absolutely a different type of parenting that needs to be had once the teen years and the late middle school, early high school start. Because this is when the kids are influenced by their friends more than now. Yes. Yeah, that's so true. and that's where you hope as a parent that you make sure that you know what their friends are all about because because don't say that they can't hang out with this person or whatever but try to lightly guide them if they are hanging with the wrong crowd or doing stuff with the wrong group of people because this is when that core like social group starts so it's definitely a different type of parenting. It's no longer the, you can't do that, you can't do this, because they're going to do it anyways. They're going to do it anyways if they want to, so it's more the oh, hey, no, can't have that person over unless their parents are home, too, or that kind of thing where it's How many kids you got, Vicki? I have one. You have one. And how old? She's 21. She's in her third year of college. That's awesome. and she's doing well everything's good yes yeah she is actually a very awesome person i actually like my child isn't that funny it's so funny chelsea and i jokingly said that we actually really like our kids like not not that we love you love your kids but liking your kids is different than loving your kids what's going on cam hi first time long time hey so i'm a single mom of three three kids, two boys, one girl. And I think some of the most important things you have to teach your kids, no matter what gender, is number one, always be a quote unquote, man of your word. Like people have to trust that you are gonna do what you say you're gonna do. You're only as good as your, my dad used to say that all the time to me You only as good as your word And the other thing yeah And the other thing I think is just to be consistent with your character I think if you have those two things that like a really solid foundation for you Can you explain that a little bit Consistent with your character? Just like, you know, the choices you make don't... How do I want to put this? Like, you know I'm always going to be an honest person. I'm not going to be honest one day and then lying the next day. Or, you know, I'm going to be the friend that's going to show up for you. I'm not going to show up sometimes and then the other times leave you hanging. And don't always, don't try to be good when other people are watching. Be good when people aren't watching. That's the definition of character right there. That is total character right there. What you do when people aren't looking. Yeah. Hey, and you did this as a single mom, so great job. Thank you so much. And I just want to shout out my ex-boyfriend who's going to be so mad that I got on the radio before he did. What's his name? His name's Brandon. Brandon, we're waiting for you to call. You got a Kim's Brandon needs to call us up. Even though he's the ex, still a little playtime? I hung up. Okay. Probably better you did. By the way, let's talk about character. I'm consistent. Elizabeth. What's going on, Elizabeth? Hi, I just wanted to say, I feel like I have a 19-year-old. I have four kids, but 19 oldest. And he's up at Central. Go Chips. Yay, fire up Chips. I feel like a lot of stuff was hidden from me as he was growing up. And when I began to just kind of tell him stuff that I went through that he didn't think that I would ever have done, he was like, oh, mom's kind of like she gets it. Like she kind of went through that, too. Like, whoa. Sometimes I'd tell him stories and he'd be like, oh, my God, I didn't think he would ever go through anything like that. And then all of a sudden he would like start kind of confiding in me a little bit more because he knew that I did understand. So it's not always about just like being so strict and lay down all these rules. And sometimes it's just about just being honest with them and telling them something you might have gone through and you're keeping it real. Really? I mean, just keep it real. They want to know that their parent is human. I'm for sure honest with Joe. Probably a little too honest. Right. And probably a little too early, too. but I think you're great and that's why I think Joe is great. What's going on Holly? Hey, this is for Kevin. I just want to let you know to be involved. That's so important. And for you, you know, to be thinking, you know, about it right now, my little guy's 12 and I mean, I just have constant thoughts of, you know, preparing him for next year's middle school and, you know, things that are changing. So, I mean, just be involved. That's just great. That's what we have to do right now. I love that Kev brought this up, too, and saying, hey, I don't know the answer to this, but I'm asking you. And I've got some great feedback, too. Thank you. Susan, you want to give Kev some advice? Yes. Hi, guys. First time, long time. Hey, Susan on the phone. Okay, Kevin, listen, I have four kids, okay? I have ranging from 7 to 19. Something that I've always told them all the time is, like, especially when they start to get into, like, grade 6, grade 7, it's like, okay, honestly, you guys, like, you're a kid right now, and all of a sudden you're going to wake up one morning and you're an adult. Like, it just goes from one to the next. So, like, when you start to look at heading into, like, the grade 9, grade 10, it's super important to maybe even have like a little bit of an idea of where you think you want to go like I tell them like look at the world right now you guys like you are not surviving off of like restaurant work or something like I mean to be honest right so heading into I mean for into high school is it's pretty important to maybe possibly have an idea of where you see your future because your courses that you take in high school and stuff can definitely help you out in the future um i mean and that's something really important is to make like make sure i i just want i always tell them like you want to make sure that you're happy with your career you want to choose something that you are doing because you love it not because oh well it's going to make me money um so i think that's a really important thing and another thing is just um whatever you're doing in your daily life like for instance my son is 13 um when i'm driving as i'm driving i'm like I'm kind of teaching him things for him to learn how to drive. You know, he's just like letting them see what you're doing on an everyday life. What you're talking about here. And it's the most important thing is you're leading by example. They're watching you every day. Even my kids today are watching what I'm doing today because they want to have a little bit of guidance, no matter how old they are. And they're watching every single thing you do and understand that when you're doing something that you shouldn't be doing, or you're saying something you shouldn't be doing? And Chelsea told me this all the time. They're aware. This is a wild one here because Samantha's not with us. Samantha, you there? Yeah, I'm here. Samantha, and tell me if I'm telling the story right, had her son when she was 14 years old. Yes, I did. Now how old is he? He's 13. He'll be 14 in August. Imagine being a 14-year-old having a baby. It was very difficult. So here you are now with a 13-year-old exactly the same age as Kev. Do you find yourself asking the same kind of questions that Kev's asking or your life experience, which was not what a normal 14-year-old dealt with, your life experience, you think, helps you be able to raise your 13-year-old? I think that it helps, but it's also I feel like I might be a little bit harder on him because I know what it's like. and I don't want the same things for him that I went through. And I also got involved in drugs and alcohol at a young age. And I feel like I try to ask more questions with his friends like okay well who is this person Well I need to you know know them a little bit better And, you know, there's things that some of his friends do where I'm like, nope, I don't like that. I'm sorry, but I don't want you around that person. Does he understand why you're saying that? He does, but I think sometimes he might think that I'm being a little bit too harsh on him. and I think maybe when he gets older he'll understand and uh you know I had told um Lydia's the one yeah yeah um I told her you know it we're so close in age we grew up together and so it's hard to kind of differentiate okay well is she saying this from a friend standpoint or a parent standpoint because sometimes you know he he you know tries to be more of my friend and I have to put that boundary. I'm your mom. I know I'm young, but I'm your mom. Can I give you a piece of advice? And I didn't live your life, so I can't judge. My advice that would be is you got to, you got to back off a little bit and not be too hovering over him because what's going to do is it's going to make him not look at you as mom, but look at you as helicopter mom. And then I think you've got to also understand you've accomplished a hell of a lot. The idea that you're a 28 year old woman, I'm guessing right now, right? Yeah, I'll be 29 in September. You're 20, 29 year old woman with a 14 year old. You had your child at 14 years old. At 14 years old, you're thinking about roadblocks. You know what I mean? And so think about what you've done and what you've accomplished. And now your son's not always going to live your career, your career path or life path. Cause what you're going to do is just provide for him. What is going to be a great life and don't try to be bubble wrap on him. I really think that just know you, you'll know when he's stepping out because you are smart. You're 28 years old. You're, you know, and you're, you're wise to that, but you just be careful, be careful that you don't try to give him too much. Cause otherwise he'll get out in this world and he won't know what the hell to do. Exactly. I appreciate that very much. I hope you look at yourself and champion yourself. Oh, a thousand percent because I look at myself and I think of everything that I overcame. And now I look back and I'm like, I really did this. It was very hard when him and his father, when we found out that we were having a baby, he left. And it went to, you know, his family was like, well, you need to have, you know, an abortion. And I said, no, I won't do that. And so I made that choice and I said, I'm going to raise this baby and I'm going to, I'm going to do the best that I can. And my son, he is an honorable student. Wow. He is, you know, he's, he's very, very intelligent. and I just pat myself on the back. Good for you. Good for you, yes. We know his name. What's his name? Can you say just his first name? Mason. Shout out Mason. Shout out Mason. And Samantha. We love you, Samantha. Thank you for the call. Thank you. Ego Woda is your host for the 2026 iHeart Podcast Awards live at South by Southwest. Hello, is anybody there? Raised by a single mom, Ego may have a few father-related issues. Are we supposed to talk about your dad? Her podcast, Thanks Dad, is full of funny, heartfelt conversations with actors, including fellow SNL alums, comedians, musicians, and more about life and their wonderfully complicated relationships with their fathers. I think and hope that's a good thing. Get to know Ego. Follow Thanks Dad with Ego Wodum and start listening on the free iHeartRadio app today. Ready for a different take on Formula One? Look no further than No Grip, a new podcast tackling the culture of motor racing's most coveted series. Join me, Lily Herman, as we dive into the underexplored pockets of F1. including the astrology of the current grid, the story of the sport's most consequential driver's strike, and plenty of other mishaps, scandals, and sagas that have made Formula One a delightful, decadent gumster fire for more than 75 years. Listen to No Grip on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This Women's History Month, the podcast Key Deposit, Sweetie, celebrates the power of women choosing healing, purpose, and faith, even when life gets messy. Love is not a destination. You have to work on it every day. Keep It Positive, sweetie, creates space for honest conversations on self-worth, love, growth, and navigating life with grace and grit, led by women who uplift, inspire, and tell the truth out loud. I have several conversations with God, and I know why it took 20 years. To hear this and more, listen to Keep It Positive, sweetie, on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. When you feel uncomfortable, what do you put on? Biggie. You put on Biggie when you feel uncomfortable? Because I want to get confident. This is DJ Hester Prince Music is Therapy. A new podcast from me, a DJ and licensed therapist. 12 months, 12 areas of your life. Money, love, career, confidence. This isn't just a podcast. It's unconventional therapy for your entire year. Listen to DJ Hester Prince Music is Therapy on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. It's the new me and it's the old them. This Woman's History Month, the podcast If You Knew Better with Amber Grimes spotlights women who turn missteps into momentum and lessons into power. My like tunnel vision of like I gotta achieve this was off the strengths of like I want to make a better life for us. If You Knew Better brings real talk from women who've lived it, unpacking career pivots, relationship lessons and the mindset shifts that changed everything. Listen to If You Knew Better with Amber Grimes on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.