Welcome back to Elevate Her! 🌟 In this episode, Mave sits down with Ashani Dante, founder of The Flourish Journey (formerly Flourish Girl), to unpack what it’s really like to be a teenage girl right now—and how adults can genuinely help. From social media pressures and perfectionism to the “silent epidemic” of bottling feelings, Ashani shares practical, heart-led ways parents, carers and educators can create safer spaces for girls to open up.

Ashani reflects on her own teen years—masking big feelings, body image worries (hello, dreaded swimming days), and feeling different at school—and how those experiences inspired her to build spaces where girls feel loved, seen and celebrated. Together, we explore why girls can be both the most informed and the most overwhelmed generation, and what actually moves the needle: listening without an agenda, planting seeds of trust over time, modelling vulnerability, and offering autonomy.

If you’ve ever wondered how to “lift the lid” earlier so young people don’t carry everything alone, this one’s for you. You’ll leave with simple conversation openers, realistic expectations (it takes time!), and a reminder not to take the push-back personally—often, home is the only place they feel safe enough to let it out.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome to Elevate Her + a note on content and support

00:00:55 - Meet our guest: Ashani Dante, The Flourish Journey (formerly Flourish Girl)

01:39 - Who is Ashani? Purpose, passion and why she started

03:40 - The landscape for teen girls: what’s changed, what’s intensified

07:17 - Ashani’s teen story: body image, masking & “swimming day” dread

11:44 - Social media: empowered and overwhelmed (at the same time)

15:25 - The “silent epidemic”: bottling up & why safe spaces matter

17:15 - When the lid lifts: feeling lighter and less alone

17:15 - What the stats are saying (body image, self-harm, overwhelm)

24:18 - How adults can help: listen, plant seeds, be patient

27:41 - Modelling vulnerability (even when it’s uncomfortable)

29:28 - Keep trying: love looks like showing up again (and again)

32:25 - A message to teenage Ashani: choose you, try anyway

Follow us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theflourishjourney_

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theflourishjourney_

This episode was created in collaboration with the Born This Way Foundation’s Kindness in Community Fund grants.

Looking for support?

Kids Helpline — 1800 55 1800

Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636

Lifeline — 13 11 14

Welcome back to Elevate Her! 🌟 In this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Dr Deirdre Brandner—renowned child psychologist, author, and parenting expert with over 30 years of experience. Deirdre brings her warm, no-nonsense approach to share timely insights on what it means to raise emotionally healthy, resilient teenage girls in today’s world.

Together, we explore the complex dance between love and boundaries, especially within mother–daughter relationships. Deirdre shares how the rise of digital technology, societal pressures, and parental anxiety are shaping a new generation of girls—and what parents can do to foster connection without becoming enmeshed.

We unpack common modern parenting struggles including TikTok self-diagnoses, delayed gratification in an instant world, dressing and body image, and the rise of adolescent entitlement. Deirdre gives practical advice on boundary-setting, supporting identity development, and helping young people navigate their emotions without over-identifying with mental health labels.

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or educator, this conversation is full of golden insights, real-life examples, and easy-to-apply tools to help you show up as the steady, supportive adult every young girl needs.

Chapters

00:00 - Welcome to Elevate Her!

01:00 - Meet Dr Deirdre Brandner

02:00 - The Shift in Parenting & Mental Health Awareness

04:00 - Understanding Enmeshment in Mother–Daughter Dynamics

07:00 - Connection vs. Control in Parenting

12:00 - Boundaries: Why Teens Need Them

16:00 - Navigating Body Image & Dress Conversations

21:00 - Entitlement, Privilege & Delayed Gratification

28:00 - The Rise of TikTok Diagnoses

34:00 - Belonging, Over-Identification & Diagnostic Labels

36:00 - Supporting Teenage Girls Through Healthy Connection

40:00 - Deirdre’s Advice to Her Teenage Self

Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theflourishjourney_

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theflourishjourney_

Tune in to learn how you can empower young people to navigate the challenges of adolescence and develop a strong sense of self-worth.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone passionate about supporting the next generation! 🌈✨

Looking for further support?

Lifeline - 13 11 14

QLife - 1800 184 527

Butterfly Foundation - 1800 33 4673

Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800

Welcome back to Elevate Her! 🌟 In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Rosie Thomas OAM, co-founder of Project Rockit—Australia’s leading youth-driven movement against bullying, hate, and prejudice.

Rosie shares how a spark of frustration and injustice she felt after high school led her and her sister Lucy to create Project Rockit 20 years ago. Their mission? To build a world where kindness and respect are louder than bullying and prejudice. With vulnerability and fire, Rosie reflects on how students can feel labelled and limited from the first day of high school, and how those impacts can shape the rest of their adolescence.

This episode is packed with practical advice for parents, carers and educators—whether it’s identifying signs of bullying, holding space for your teen, navigating tricky school dynamics, or supporting kids in the digital age. Rosie also dives into the delicate balance of preparing young people for risk without overprotecting them, and why the “allyship muscle” needs to be developed just like any other life skill.

We also tackle the big one—social media. Rosie unpacks the harms and the critical opportunities it presents, from connection and mental health support to global youth-led movements.

From practical tips to emotional insight, this is an episode full of wisdom, empathy, and a rallying call to raise brave, kind, and capable young people.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome to Elevate Her!

02:00 - Meet Rosie Thomas: Co-founder of Project Rockit

05:00 - The Schoolyard Lottery: Why Kindness is a Game-Changer

09:00 - What Parents Can Do When Their Child is Being Bullied

13:00 - Building Resilience Without Overprotection

16:00 - Social Media & Mental Health: A Complicated Reality

22:00 - The Power of Digital Connection for Marginalised Youth

25:00 - Teaching Allyship and Peer Support in Schools

30:00 - Practical First Steps When Bullying Is Disclosed

34:00 - The Emotional Labour of Parents & Finding Your Support Crew

36:00 - Final Thoughts: A Message to Teenage Rosie

Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theflourishjourney_

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theflourishjourney_

Tune in to learn how you can empower young people to navigate the challenges of adolescence and develop a strong sense of self-worth.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone passionate about supporting the next generation! 🌈✨

Looking for further support?

Lifeline - 13 11 14

QLife - 1800 184 527

Butterfly Foundation - 1800 33 4673

Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800

Welcome back to Elevate Her! 🌟 In this episode, we sit down with Kirstin Barchia, a clinical psychologist specialising in teenage development, parenting, and emotional intelligence. As a parent herself, Kirstin understands the challenges of raising teenage girls and shares expert advice on supporting them through life’s transitions.

Kirstin discusses the common struggles parents face, from school reluctance to social media boundaries and self-esteem issues. She offers practical strategies for fostering emotional resilience and connection, helping parents navigate tricky topics like screen time, social pressures, and morning routines without constant battles.

This episode is packed with actionable tools to help parents support their daughters with curiosity, compassion, and collaboration. Kirstin also highlights the power of role modelling and how parents can manage their own anxieties while guiding their teens towards independence.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome to Elevate Her!

02:00 - Meet Kirstin Barchia: Clinical Psychologist & Parenting Expert

05:00 - The Chaos of Transitions: Helping Teens Adjust to Change

12:00 - School Reluctance vs. School Refusal: What’s Really Happening?

17:00 - The Morning Mirror Battle: Navigating Self-Image & Social Pressures

24:00 - Social Media & Screen Time: Setting Healthy Boundaries

30:00 - Encouraging Independence Without Losing Control

38:00 - Advice to Teenage Kirstin: “Everything Can Change in a Weekend”

41:00 - Final Thoughts & Resources

Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theflourishjourney_

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theflourishjourney_

Tune in to learn how you can empower young people to navigate the challenges of adolescence and develop a strong sense of self-worth.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone passionate about supporting the next generation! 🌈✨

Looking for further support?

Lifeline - 13 11 14

QLife - 1800 184 527

Butterfly Foundation - 1800 33 4673

Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800

Welcome back to Elevate Her! 🌟 In this episode, we’re joined by Amanda and Skye, co-founders of the Youth Engagement Project, an organisation dedicated to supporting those who work with young people. Together, we explore the importance of vulnerability—why it’s not weakness, but rather a sign of strength—and how we can create spaces where young girls feel safe enough to be themselves.

Amanda and Skye break down their Vulnerability Guard framework, helping parents, teachers, and mentors recognise how young people protect themselves when facing emotional uncertainty. They discuss how fostering authenticity, autonomy, and connection can transform relationships with teenage girls and give them the confidence to grow into their fullest selves.

This episode is full of practical insights on how to model vulnerability as adults, why perfectionism is holding young people back, and how we can support girls in navigating challenges—without rushing in to fix everything for them.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome to Elevate Her!

02:00 - Meet Amanda & Skye: Founders of Youth Engagement Project

06:30 - The Link Between Vulnerability & Growth

12:00 - What is a Vulnerability Guard & How Does It Show Up?

18:00 - The Role of Safe Adults: Creating Trust & Belonging

25:00 - Perfectionism & Pressure: Helping Girls Let Go of "Perfect"

31:00 - Encouraging Autonomy & Decision-Making in Young Girls

38:00 - Why Holding Space (Not Fixing) is the Key to Support

44:00 - Final Thoughts: Advice to Our Teenage Selves

Follow us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theflourishjourney_

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theflourishjourney_

Tune in to learn how you can empower young people to navigate the challenges of adolescence and develop a strong sense of self-worth. This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone passionate about supporting the next generation! 🌈✨

Looking for further support?

Lifeline - 13 11 14

QLife - 1800 184 527

Butterfly Foundation - 1800 33 4673

Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800

Welcome back to Elevate Her! 🌟 In this episode, we sit down with Jack Davis, founder of It’s Cool to Cry, an organisation dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health and encouraging vulnerability. Jack shares his personal journey of loss, grief, and healing, inspiring open conversations and emotional self-awareness.

Jack reflects on his experience navigating grief after the loss of his partner Ellie to suicide and how bottling up his emotions led to anger and exhaustion. Through therapy, he discovered the importance of acknowledging all emotions—not just happiness or anger—and developed tools to live a more balanced, fulfilled life.

This episode is packed with practical tips for parents, caregivers, and educators on starting meaningful mental health conversations, modelling vulnerability, and supporting young people through tough times. Jack also introduces the power of the emotion wheel as a tool to help articulate feelings beyond “happy, sad, and angry.”

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome to Elevate Her!

02:00 - Meet Jack Davis: Founder of It’s Cool to Cry

05:00 - Jack’s Personal Story: Loss, Grief & Healing

12:00 - Breaking Stigmas: Why Crying Matters

17:00 - Naming Emotions: The Power of the Emotion Wheel

22:00 - Encouraging Vulnerability in Young People

29:00 - Starting Conversations When You’re Worried

35:00 - Holding Space vs. Fixing Problems

40:00 - Practical Tools for Parents to Support Emotional Expression

44:00 - Final Thoughts: A Message to Teenage Jack

Follow us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theflourishjourney_

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theflourishjourney_

Tune in to learn how you can empower young people to navigate the challenges of adolescence and develop a strong sense of self-worth. This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone passionate about supporting the next generation! 🌈✨

Looking for further support?

Lifeline - 13 11 14

QLife - 1800 184 527

Butterfly Foundation - 1800 33 4673

Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800

Welcome back to Elevate Her! 🌟 In this heartfelt second episode, we are joined by Jaimee Krawitz, a registered counsellor specialising in eating disorders and adolescence, and the founder of the impactful organisation Hide and Seek. Hosted by the insightful team at Flourish, this episode dives deep into the challenges and conversations surrounding eating disorders, especially among young girls, and how we can break the taboo around this critical topic.

Jaimee shares her powerful personal journey, from navigating her own eating disorder at the age of 12 to becoming a passionate advocate for better communication, support, and understanding in this space. Together, we explore practical tips for parents, caregivers, and educators to start meaningful conversations, recognise early warning signs, and create a safe environment for young people to open up.

This episode also tackles the role of social media, the importance of role modelling, and how fostering self-love and empowerment can make all the difference in a young person's journey.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome to Elevate Her!

02:10 - Meet Jaimee Krawitz: Counsellor & Advocate

06:00 - The Story Behind Hide and Seek

10:00 - Breaking the Silence: Starting Conversations About Eating Disorders

17:00 - Recognising Early Warning Signs

22:00 - Social Media’s Influence on Body Image

28:00 - How Parents & Schools Can Foster Positive Environments

32:00 - Building Self-Love & Empowerment in Young People

34:00 - Final Advice: Speaking Up and Asking for Help

Follow us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theflourishjourney_

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theflourishjourney_

Tune in to learn how you can empower young people to navigate the challenges of adolescence and develop a strong sense of self-worth. This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone passionate about supporting the next generation! 🌈✨

Looking for further support?

Lifeline - 13 11 14

QLife - 1800 184 527

Butterfly Foundation - 1800 33 4673

Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800

Welcome to the very first episode of Elevate Her! 🎉 In this exciting debut, we are joined by Chelsey Goodan, the brilliant author of Underestimated: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls. Hosted by clinical psychologist Helen Lawton, this episode is all about empowering teenage girls and providing the tools for those who support them—parents, teachers, and mentors—to foster their growth and well-being.

In this insightful conversation, Chelsey shares her journey from academic tutor to author, highlighting the incredible wisdom and resilience of teenage girls. Together, Helen and Chelsey explore the importance of giving space to young women to express themselves authentically and how we can better listen without rushing to fix. They touch on key issues like the pressure to be perfect, body image struggles, and how to develop a healthy relationship with social media.

This episode is packed with actionable tips on how to hold space for young girls, help them build their self-worth, and encourage open, non-judgmental conversations.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome to Elevate Her!

02:10 - Meet Chelsey Goodan: Author & Advocate

06:30 - The Importance of Listening & Validation

11:00 - Perfectionism & Academic Pressure in Teenage Girls

17:40 - The Role of Body Image in Self-Worth

24:30 - Navigating Social Media: Empowerment vs. Control

31:00 - Encouraging Healthy Conversations & Radical Honesty

38:00 - How to Support Teenage Girls Through Mistakes

44:00 - Final Thoughts & Advice for Parents

Follow us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theflourishjourney_

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theflourishjourney_

Tune in to learn how you can help teenage girls thrive in a world full of pressures—and take away some valuable insights to apply in your own life!