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What Homeless Teens Can Teach Us About Belonging

What Homeless Teens Can Teach Us About Belonging

by | Jun 13, 2017 | Mental Health, Parenting, Podcast

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Belonging is a driving force for teen behavior.

In this final episode of Season 3 of the Stay Calm, Don’t Panic! Podcast, Chris Robey talks to Benny Nowell of Sevens in Boulder, Colorado about the power of belonging. Through his work with homeless teenagers, Benny has seen the extremes teens will go to find acceptance and belonging and speaks to our role as adults to help teenagers find positive places to belong. Join the conversation and find out how simple words can make a big impact!

Everyone wants to be known, cared for, and loved.
Benny Nowell

In this episode, Benny Nowell discusses…

  • The importance of belonging, especially during adolescence.
  • How present, engaged adults can impact a teenager.

Ask yourself…

  • Am I present and engaged when interacting with teenagers? How could I be more present?
  • Who needs to hear an encouraging word from me today?

Go ask a teen…

  • Where do you feel you belong?
  • How do you make others feel like they belong? Who could you reach out to?

Resources:

Have a question?

If you have a question about something you heard or just want to give us some feedback, please leave us a comment below.  We would love to hear from you!
Karlie Duke
Karlie Duke

Communications Director

Chris Robey
Chris Robey

Former CEO

Benny Nowell

Benny Nowell

Special Guest

Strengths Are Better Than Weaknesses

Strengths Are Better Than Weaknesses

by | Jun 6, 2017 | Mental Health, Parenting, Podcast, Support Groups

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Imagine if we shifted our focus from constantly trying to repair teenagers to instead assisting them in uncovering their unique talents and strengths.

Dr. Becky Taylor joins Chris and Karlie to explore the importance of taking an approach that emphasizes strengths. Its positive impact on the mental well-being of teenagers will amaze you, and best of all, you’ll come away with tips for integrating this approach into daily interactions.

Whether you are a caregiver, teacher, or guide, you will gain valuable techniques to empower the adolescents around you to feel recognized, appreciated, and self-assured.

Let’s delve into the reasons why enhancing strengths surpasses correcting shortcomings without fail.

In this episode, Dr. Becky Taylor discusses…

  • The impact of focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses.
  • How adults can use relationship to encourage teens’ strengths.
  • Some ideas on how to help teens build talents and strengths.

Ask yourself…

  • Am I giving my teen opportunities to discover their talents?
  • How can I encourage and point out the strengths in teenagers?

Go ask a teen…

  • What are the things that you feel come naturally, and what things do you have to work harder on?
  • What are the strengths that help you meet your goals?

Resources:

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

Have a question?

If you have a question about something you heard or just want to give us some feedback, please leave us a comment below.  We would love to hear from you!
Karlie Duke
Karlie Duke

Communications Director

Chris Robey
Chris Robey

Former CEO

Becky Taylor

Becky Taylor

Special Guest

Disappointment Isn’t a Bad Thing

Disappointment Isn’t a Bad Thing

by | May 30, 2017 | Mental Health, Parenting, Podcast

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Is disappointment all bad for teenagers?

In this episode of the Stay Calm, Don’t Panic! Podcast, Chris Robey is joined by Dr. David Fraze to discuss how disappointment affects teenagers.

Is disappointment all bad? Is rescuing our children the best answer? Jump into this great conversation and hear ways to help push and equip students to face challenges and disappointments. 

It’s better for kids to learn to face disappointment in our home than later down the road.

In this episode, Dr. David Fraze answers…

  • Why do adults, especially parents, treat disappointment like a bad thing?
  • What are a few of the benefits of facing and journeying through disappointment?
  • What are a few ways adults can help students face and journey through disappointment?
 

Ask yourself…

  • Am I trying to prevent teenagers from facing disappointment?
  • Are my expectations and views of my teenager realistic?
  • Am I seeking my identity in the successes of my children?

Go ask a teen…

  • What disappointments have you faced in life?
  • When things are tough, what helps you get through it?
  • How can you learn from past disappointments and use them to make you better?

Resources:

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

Have a question?

If you have a question about something you heard or just want to give us some feedback, please leave us a comment below.  We would love to hear from you!
Chris Robey
Chris Robey

Former CEO

Karlie Duke
Karlie Duke

Communications Director

Dr. David Fraze

Dr. David Fraze

Special Guest

Life at High School & Successful Students

Life at High School & Successful Students

by | May 23, 2017 | Mental Health, Parenting, Podcast, Resources, School

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Chris Robey talks to two school counselors about what they are currently seeing in our public schools.

While Lindsey and Tammy both work at two very different schools, they give great insight into what students are facing and offer valuable advice on how we can support teenagers to make their life at high school more positive.

School is a vital part of the teenage years, let’s discuss how we can help students be more successful!

Successful students live intentionally, They are goal oriented and are living life accordingly.

In this episode, Lindsey and Tammy discuss…

  • Trends seen by school counselors
  • Common stressors that students face
  • The kind of support students can receive from school
  • Some qualities of successful students

Ask yourself…

  • Am I aware of current teen trends?
  • How can I help support my student’s school life at home?

Go ask a teen…

  • What is one small thing that would help make school better?
  • Do you know what resources are available to you at school?

In this episode, we used the following resources:

Karlie Duke
Karlie Duke

Communications Director

Chris Robey
Chris Robey

Former CEO

Have a question?

If you have a question about something you heard or just want to give us some feedback, please leave us a comment below.  We would love to hear from you!

The 5 “A’s” of Connection

The 5 “A’s” of Connection

by | May 16, 2017 | Mental Health, Parenting, Podcast

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In this episode of the Stay Calm, Don’t Panic! Podcast, Chris Robey is joined by Beverly Ross to discuss how we can increase our connection with teenagers. Beverly offers five easy ways to get better at connecting with others. As an expert in the counseling realm, Beverly’s wisdom is invaluable! Let’s work on making our homes, classrooms, and churches safe places for connection.

There should be more a voice of gratitude in my home than a voice of correction.
Beverly Ross

In this episode, Beverly Ross discusses increased connection with others through…

  1. Attention
  2. Appreciation
  3. Affection
  4. Affirmation
  5. Acceptance

Ask yourself…

  • Am I being fully present?
  • Am I being more appreciative of myself so I can appreciate others?
  • How can I better show gratitude and focus on the good in teenagers?

Go ask a teen…

  • When are the times that you feel I am not present?
  • When do you feel appreciated by me? How can I better show when I appreciate you?

In this episode, we mention or use the following resources on connecting with others.

Have a question?

If you have a question about something you heard or just want to give us some feedback, please leave us a comment below.  We would love to hear from you!

Karlie Duke
Karlie Duke

Communications Director

Chris Robey
Chris Robey

Former CEO

Beverly Ross

Beverly Ross

Special Guest