Counselor Chat Podcast

In this inspiring guest episode of Counselor Chat, Carey Hughes and Rachel Haglin take the mic to share how a simple shift in mindset — and one powerful administrative conference — led to real advocacy and real results.

They didn’t just talk about change. They led it. And it’s already transforming their district.

🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why “It’s a program, not a position” is more than a mantra — it’s a movement
• How Carey and Rachel used the ASCA Annual Administrative Conference to align with school goals
• What happened when they presented data and needs directly to district leadership
• The behind-the-scenes story of becoming lead counselors — and how it started with a letter
• What to do when advocacy doesn’t work right away (hint: it’s a marathon, not a sprint)

This episode is your reminder that small steps — when led with heart, data, and courage — can lead to powerful, lasting change.

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

August doesn’t have to feel like a whirlwind of late nights, unlaminated posters, and cold cups of coffee. I'll share the 10 intentional steps I'm taking this summer to avoid the dreaded back-to-school chaos—and how you can do the same.

From organizing your counseling office (yes, both paper files and those prehistoric Google Docs) to prepping data tools, small group plans, and even your go-to “counselor tote,” Carol walks through the exact systems and routines she’s setting up now to make the start of the school year smoother and calmer.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to organize your office and digital files so everything’s easy to find in September.
• Why building a counseling calendar template now helps you feel grounded before the school year begins.
• The value of printing your most-used materials—like referral forms and coping tools—in bulk before the rush hits.
• How to map out small groups, classroom lessons, and SEL initiatives for the year in advance.
• What to pack in your Counselor Go Bag so you’re ready for anything.
• Why updating your bulletin boards, décor, and intro lessons early makes your life so much easier.
• And most importantly, how to fill your own cup first so you’re not running on empty when the students return.

Plus, I'm sharing details about my upcoming session, “Putting Out Fires All Day: From Crisis Response to Proactive Programming,” at the 2025 Summer Counselor Conference—the perfect chance to fill your cup with inspiration and practical tools.

Because a little prep now? It equals a lot more peace later.

Links I mentioned:

• Perfect Counselor Planner
• Behavioral Survey Bundle
• Think Sheets
• Meet The Counselor Lesson Plan
• Perks Content Club
• Summer Counselor Conference

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!

Connect with Carol:

• TpT Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

Are you navigating a new caseload structure this year? Wondering how to divide the work with a co-counselor without splitting the heart of your program? In this episode, I'm sharing practical strategies and real-life examples of caseload division that works—plus the bumps to avoid.

You’ll learn:

• 📚 The most common caseload split models (Alphabet, Grade-Level, MTSS, and more)
• 🧠 The benefits—and drawbacks—of each
• 🤝 Pro tips for dividing responsibilities beyond the caseload
• 🔄 Why it’s okay to try, tweak, and test different models

Whether you’re brand new to a team or refining what’s already in place, this episode will help you rethink what’s possible with collaboration, creativity, and a plan.

Encouragement from the episode:

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

This week on Counselor Chat, we’re taking a break from the heavy stuff and diving into a little mid-summer magic. It’s a personal episode full of recommendations, reflections, and fun finds that are keeping me grounded, growing, and even a little more organized during these sunny months.

Here’s what I’m sharing:

📚 What I’m Reading

🎧 What I’m Listening To

📺 What I’m Watching

🥗 What I’m Cooking

✨ What’s Coming Up:

• I’ll be at the ASCA Conference in Long Beach! Stop by the Perks booth and say hi!
• Registration is open for the 2025 Summer Counselor Conference — where I’ll be presenting “Putting Out Fires All Day” to help you shift from reactive to proactive in your school counseling practice.

💛 Inspiration to close your day with:

Links Mentioned:

Atomic Habits

The Anxious Generation

MealBoard App

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!

Connect with Carol:

• TpT Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

In this candid solo episode, I get real about mid-summer counselor burnout. If you’ve been feeling tired, guilty for not “doing more,” or wondering why you’re not excited for back-to-school season—this conversation is your permission slip to hit pause and actually recharge. I'm sharing personal stories, actionable reflection questions, and why summer isn’t a competition for productivity—it’s a chance to reconnect with who you are and why you started this work in the first place.

• Sneaky signs of burnout you may not recognize
• How to know whether your "recharging" is really working
• A new lens to view your summer: the 8 dimensions of wellness
• How to reflect on what fills your cup outside of school
• When to say no, when to lean in, and when to rest
• How connecting with other counselors can reignite your passion

👟 Whether you're reorganizing your spice cabinet or wondering if you should go back to school just to “check in” on things… this episode will remind you that rest is a requirement, not a reward.

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!

Connect with Carol:

• TpT Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

In this inspiring guest takeover, Kansas-based counselor Cassie Good shares how starting an Advisory Council changed everything—from how her role was viewed to how she spent her time.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why advisory councils aren’t optional—they’re transformational
• Real-world examples of using data to advocate for your time and impact
• How Cassie reduced non-counseling tasks with support from admin
• Ways to create buy-in from teachers, parents, and district leaders
• Practical steps to start your own council (yes, even with limited time!)

Cassie’s advice: You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

🌞 Inspired? Be sure to check out the 2025 Summer Counselor Conference to keep learning, growing, and connecting with counselors who get it.

💛 Because we’re better together.

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!

Connect with Carol:

• TpT Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

🎙️ Episode Title: That One Student – Ending the Year with Impact

In this powerful episode of Counselor Chat, Carol shares the emotional story of “that one student” — or in her case, an entire family — who made a lasting impact during the school year. From crisis to resilience, you'll hear how four siblings reminded her why school counselors do this work, even when it’s messy, hard, and uncertain.

You'll walk away with:

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• A reminder of the life-changing power of your presence
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• 
  
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• An invitation to reflect on your own “one student” story
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• A renewed sense of hope and connection
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💌 Carol encourages you to write about the student who impacted you this year—and maybe even share it with her!

🖇️ Links + Resources:

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!

Connect with Carol:

• TpT Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Visit counselingessentials.org/podcast for more.

📲 Connect with Carol on Instagram or Facebook @counselingessentials

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

This week on Counselor Chat, we’re getting personal—and a little behind-the-scenes.

🎧 Episode 114: Conference Confidential – The Backstage Tour of the Summer Counselor Conference

In this episode, I’m sharing how the Summer Counselor Conference came to life—from the spark of an idea to a community of thousands of counselors learning together from the comfort of their homes.

✨ Inside this episode:

• The heart behind the conference (and yes, it includes yoga in your PJs!)
• Sneak peeks into this year’s lineup: Robin Zorn, Jessica Sinarski, Reagan Norris, Bob Pincus, and more!
• Why access lasts until June 2026 (because we know life gets busy)
• What past attendees had to say about the impact
• How to earn 45 PD hours and up to 3 graduate credits with zero extra work
• VIP perks, giveaways, and the early bird deadline you don’t want to miss (hint: June 16!)

🎟️ Register now for the 2025 Summer Counselor Conference:

www.summercounselorconference.com

Whether you’re new to the profession or have years of wisdom, this conference was built to meet you where you are.

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

In this heartfelt episode, I'm sharing a mix of laughter, encouragement, and reflection for school counselors wrapping up the year. Drawing from letters written by real counselors, this episode offers wisdom to tuck away for the tough days ahead—and a reminder that your work truly matters.

Highlights:

• 💌 “Dear Future Me…” letters full of humor, heart, and hard-earned advice
• 📢 The importance of advocating for your role (and inviting yourself to the meeting)
• 🧠 What to remember when you're overwhelmed next fall
• 👀 Why checking work emails at home is a big nope
• ✨ A challenge to write your own end-of-year letter

Words of Wisdom from the Episode:

Challenge of the Week:

 Write your own "Dear Future Me" letter. Include a reminder of your growth, the wins worth celebrating, and advice for when things get heavy again. Then, save it somewhere to reopen next fall. 💛

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!

Connect with Carol:

• TpT Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

What happens when grief becomes your unexpected companion—but also your teacher?

In this heartfelt Podcast Takeover, guest host Carol Colao opens up about guiding children through grief in her school counseling role, sharing signs, stories, and a reminder that children grieve differently--and deeply. She’s joined by Julie Riga, a leadership coach and author, who turned her grief into purpose by completing her late father’s memoir and discovering “authentic grieving” in the process.

This episode is a touching blend of personal story and professional wisdom—and a reminder that hope can grow even in the hardest seasons.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How grief manifests in children vs. adults
• Signs of “sad attacks” and how to support students through them
• Why grief extends beyond death: divorce, incarceration, and more
• What it means to “authentically grieve” and set your own pace
• How storytelling and honoring “the firsts” after loss can lead to healing
• Why it’s okay to cry, celebrate, and remember—in your own way

💛 Encouragement from this episode:

 You don’t need to have all the answers to start healing. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. There is hope in the hurt—and healing in remembering.

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!

Connect with Carol:

• TpT Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership