Parenting Solutions for Teen & Pre-Teen Education & Behavior

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A single misheard word in fifth grade quietly derails Mike’s understanding for years, until a later breakthrough makes the whole pattern obvious. We connect that moment to a repeatable set of study tools that help kids, teens, and adults rebuild fundamentals and learn with confidence. 

• Mike’s “beavers” misunderstanding and how one word blanks a whole lesson 
• Why students hide confusion and then forget the exact cause 
• Discovering study technology and committing to educator training 
• The value of...

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A teen can be polite, non-rebellious, and still be drifting toward a dead stop. No goals, no interest in college or trade school, no desire to work, and no clear sense of purpose. We dig into a surprising root cause that hides in plain sight: they may have never experienced real mastery, especially the kind that comes from reading with full understanding. When learning has always felt confusing, motivation doesn’t magically appear. 

We walk through a real exa...

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What if the fastest way to help your child thrive is to slow everything down? We walk through a simple framework—observe, decide, act—that turns everyday hiccups into quiet masterclasses in judgment, confidence, and real-life skills. Instead of punishing mistakes or rushing to fix them, we show how to coach calm attention, invite better choices, and support follow-through so kids feel capable and proud of what they can do.

We start with a clear definition of ability that...

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When a child brings home A’s but skips class, or melts down when math comes out, something deeper is going on. We dig into why two very different patterns—low grades and high‑risk behavior—can spring from the same broken learning process, and how a simple framework helps parents turn confusion into capability.

We start by redefining what “struggling in school” really means. Mike draws on 35 years of working with kids and families to show how memorization...

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Ever feel like a label replaced a lesson? We take a hard look at “arbitraries”—opinions and judgments dropped into the learning process without reason—and show how they quietly turn real educational problems into medicalized stories. From glossy assessments to trending diagnoses, we trace how false solutions enter classrooms, reshape expectations, and nudge parents toward treatments that do not teach.

We share candid stories about grades, testing, and the shock of discovering that high scores don’t always equ...

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A fast-food billboard shouldn’t be a study lesson, but “Welcome to delicious” says a lot about how language really works—and why so many teens feel lost when textbooks, teachers, and everyday speech don’t match. We dig into that gap with Mike, exploring how creative phrasing can be both inspiring and misleading, and we show parents how to turn confusion into confidence without leaning on empty labels.

We walk through what changed in modern education: less practice...

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Ever watch a kid wake up queasy on school days but bounce back on weekends? We dig into a counterintuitive truth: sometimes the “sick” feeling isn’t a virus or avoidance—it’s the body’s response to information overload when lessons stack up without any hands-on anchor. Mike and I share why even high-performing students can feel dizzy, nauseous, or headachy while genuinely understanding the material, and how a small shift toward doing can bring quick relief.

You’ll hear...

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Ever wondered why a calm afternoon can explode into a full-blown tantrum? We pull back the curtain on what’s really driving those blowups and show how small, fixable issues—skipped steps, unclear words, and mismatched levels—can snowball into big emotions. Through Nicole’s journey, you’ll hear how moving a child up too quickly in swim class and limiting her to a tiny book selection at the YMCA quietly fueled daily frustration. Once we reset the level, expanded her readin...

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What if dyslexia isn’t a life sentence but a familiarity gap you can close with a simple plan? We dig into the practical side of helping kids and teens read with confidence by focusing on what actually trips them up: a small set of letter-sound patterns and the sequence they learn them in. With 26 letters and a finite group of common letter combinations, reading becomes less of a mystery and more of a map you can follow at home.

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If school feels like a daily battlefield at home, there’s a deeper cause most families miss: confusion masquerading as misbehavior. We pull apart how unclear words, shaky reading skills, and assumed “basics” create stress that kids eventually fight—by checking out, acting up, or hiding behind test tricks that raise grades but kill understanding.

We start by mapping the hidden influences beyond home—teachers, peers, curriculum—and show how a simple gap in meaning can snowball into teasing, ski...

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Ever feel like homework wars and school stress are symptoms, not the cause?

We pull back the curtain on why family tension and unspoken issues quietly sabotage learning, then show how a simple practice—clearing the air—restores trust, focus, and momentum. Not with lectures or guilt, but with practical tools, safer conversations, and a shared set of principles the whole family can use.

To make this real, we share free resources: The Way to Happiness, a co...

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Bullying doesn’t start on the playground; it often starts where learning breaks down. We take you inside the root causes that push teens and preteens into the bullying game, then show how mastery, purpose, and true engagement pull them out—for good. Drawing on personal stories and practical tools, we map a path parents can use to make their kids “bulletproof” by restoring control over study, connecting lessons to real goals, and clearing confusion that hides beneath decent grades.

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Join us for an enriching conversation with Danny from Danny Tyrell Studios, a musician who has journeyed through Detroit's iconic music scene. From playing his first gig at just 14 to opening for Motown legends like Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross, Danny brings a wealth of experience and nostalgia from an era that shaped modern music. As we talk about the vibrant live music culture of Detroit, Danny shares how being surrounded by talented peers nurtured his growth...

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What would you do if your child's future was being dictated by a misdiagnosis? On this heartfelt episode of The Competence Institute podcast, we sit down with Barbie Rivera, author, educator and parent, who recounts her powerful journey advocating for her son Damon. Wrongly labeled as mentally handicapped for confusing letters, Damon was faced with a future of medication. Hear how Barbie's unwavering commitment led her to homeschool her children despite facing rejection and criticism, showcasing the...

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Unlock the secrets of transformative education with Ann Cigainero, a visionary educator with over thirty years of dedication to study technology. Ann captivates us with her pioneering journey in creating a school founded on L. Ron Hubbard's educational principles, where personalized learning and nearly perfect comprehension aren't just goals—they're the standard. As we discuss the profound impact that a custom-tailored approach can have, especially before the pivotal third and fourth grades, you’ll witness how easing academic pressures can lead...

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Unlock the rhythm of success with Bob Bolt, a maestro in both the spheres of business and music, as he shares his harmonious approach to mastering new skills and knowledge. Striking a chord, Bob's narrative reveals the power behind understanding the intricate symbols and terminology that resonate across disciplines, from musical notation to mathematical equations. His simple story of helping a peer navigate the complexities of a math problem underscores how a solid grasp of foundational concepts can amplify one's...

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Competence: the ability to do something successfully or efficiently.

When you think of a classroom, what comes to mind? The chalky scent of blackboards, or perhaps the hum of a projector? Now, imagine a place where education fuels not just the mind, but the very spirit of community itself. Cary Goulston joins us to unravel the threads of traditional teaching, weaving a vibrant tapestry of study technology and moral education. His experiences, from Boston's urban...

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What if your struggle with a subject or even a passion could be traced back to a few misunderstood words? Join us as we unravel the intriguing, yet often neglected, concept of the misunderstood word with our co-founder and study technology expert, Mike. We're shedding light on how such words are not mere stumbling blocks to a particular topic, but can cause disinterest or confusion around the entire subject. 

In this chat, we take a deep dive into t...

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Ever wondered why some students, despite knowing all the textbook answers, falter when it comes to applying their knowledge in real life? We get to the bottom of this conundrum in our enlightening conversation with Mike, a co-founder of the Competence Institute. Together, we unravel the enigma of the GLIB student and expose the detriment of misunderstood words on comprehension. We passionately argue for a shift towards understanding and applying, rather than rote learning and test-oriented education. Mike also generously...

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Ever felt overwhelmed by the thought of textbooks and studying? You're not alone. Many young adults abandon their dreams due to the mountain of knowledge they believe they need to conquer. We, Ryan Kimball and Mike Tyler, challenge this narrative by arguing that success lies not in studying harder but in studying smarter. In this episode, we put the spotlight on words - the foundation of our communication and understanding. We equip you with the tools to...

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Have you ever felt powerless as a parent, watching your child grapple with life’s challenges and unethical choices? Listen to the amazing journey of transformation; Ann Auburn, a doctor, and her son Jake undertook with the help of Mike Tyler. Their inspiring story showcases the dynamic impact of study technology and ethics, two tools that can help any struggling individual turn their life around. Ann, who had benefitted from study technology herself during medical school, shares the powerful effect it...

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What if there was a program that could turn your life around? That's precisely the journey Jaccob Dean underwent when he joined a life-repair program run by co-founder of The Competence Institute, Mike Tyler. This episode unravels Jacob's transformation from a troubled teenager to a director-level professional. It's an inspiring tale of overcoming the potent pull of substance abuse and embracing self-improvement.

Do you ever wonder about the power of confronting challenges? In the second part of...

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Is your teenager causing havoc and you're at your wits' end? Ever wish you could get into the mind of a former teenage troublemaker who turned their life around? Your hosts, Ryan Kimball and Mike Tyler, are here to offer you a lifeline, drawing on their own experiences and years of research to provide tangible solutions. As the co-founders of the Competence Institute, we have a mission - empowering young adults to reclaim their future, fill the gaps in...

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In this episode, co-founders Mike Tyler and Ryan Kimball discuss their mission and goals. 

What if the house of your child's education is built on shaky foundations? This episode pulls back the curtain on the Competence Institute's innovative approach to education, with our co-founders Mike Tyler and Ryan Kimball. We focus on students who have fallen through the cracks, shining a light on how a solid foundation in the early years is critical for future educational success. D...