As school counselors it is inevitable that we will have students who will be in CPS care each year. In this episode MJ Matthews shares ways that we can support students and families who are in foster care or who have already transitioned to the adoption process.

Grief is something that is unavoidable. It is almost guaranteed that at some point through the year you will be counseling your students through their personal grief. School counselor Jodi Fiore's mother was a huge personality, not only at home, but also in the community. In this episode Jodi shares how she processed the death of her mother as a young child, and how it has given her insight on how to talk with students about grief as a school counselor. She graciously shares those tips with us through this podcast, but also with the books she's written about Lia-RIA.

In this episode we also have Mallory Jacobs doing our "In the Mix with Mal Pal" segment sharing some much needed deep breathing techniques that you can share with your students!

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Lia-Ria and the Ostrich Feathers

Lia-Ria and the Lockdown Drill

Lia-Ria Meets the Angels

Lia-Ria and the Old Timers

Nee Doh Cube

Hobermans Sphere

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In this episode Dr. Karen Gross joins us to talk about her new book, Mending Education. Dr. Gross explains so beautifully why some of the processes and procedures are failing to work the same way they worked pre-pandemic. She shows us some of the changes that actually worked really as we educated students through the pandemic, why we should keep them in place, and how the rush to return to "normal" may have actually caused some of the behaviors and frustration we are witnessing and experiencing now.

No matter where you are in your school counseling journey, sometimes it is great to talk with someone who is just beginning their journey. In this episode we talk with Shae, a school counseling student, and get her perspective on the future of school counseling, what she is being prepared for as far as the uptick in behaviors, and what she wants veteran school counselors to know. This episode is a great reminder of why we do what we do, and we hope it serves as some inspiration to reach out to someone new in the trenches and share some kind words or assistance!

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Growing Your Program Wait List

If you've been a school counselor for longer than 5 minutes, you have most likely used a resource from Julia Cook. In this episode she shares how she got started, why she loves school counseling, and what she has coming up next! The things she talks about in this episode will save you time, make you successful, and position you as a leader!

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Kriya Lendzion has been called "The Teen Whisperer." Once you listen to this episode, you will understand why! In this episode she shares statistics about addiction, primarily related to vaping, but she includes alcohol and even screen addiction! She also shares strategies and how school counselors can advocate for policies to help support students overcoming their addictions. This is one of those episodes that ALL educators and parents need to hear!

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Our roving reporter, Mallory Jacobs, was on the streets of the ASCA conference, talking with YOU about all of the things you learned and loved about the conference this year. If you haven't been to an ASCA conference, we would highly recommend listening to this episode so you can start advocating now to join us next year! Take a listen- you might hear yourself, and at the very least we think you'll at least chuckle here and there!

Owala Water Bottle

Growing Your Program Course Wait List

Alabama Critical Issues Conference

There are several topics that school counselors have to share each year that feel uncomfortable or difficult to talk about. Many of these topics are required, but that doesn't make it any easier! In this episode we're giving you resources and ideas on ways to cover these difficult topics that school counselors need to talk about.

Here is a link to a free lesson on hygiene.

This episode is full of various ways to take your school counseling program to the next level. In this episode, School Counselor Extraordinaire, Sarah Nauman, joins her administrator, Dr.. Heather Baker, to talk about how they collaborate to find new approaches to behaviors and programs. This collaboration has led to advocacy opportunities for Sarah as well as school and community buy-in for her program. This is one of those episodes that you could listen to multiple times and find new information each time!

In this episode former Missouri Teacher of the Year, Darbie Valenti Huff, recounts the story of a student named Junie. Junie had behavior issues, hygiene issues, you name it! School counselors and all educators need to hear this story about a student who seemed almost impossible to help. We all have students like Junie. Listen to find out what became of Junie and what educators can do to reach the seemingly unreachable.

Book Darbie to do a powerful PD at your school: [email protected]

Find her on social media: @miss_d_valenti