Elevated Leadership with Jena Young

What if the goal of parenting a teenager isn’t to manage them more effectively but to help them manage and lead themselves?

In this episode, Jena breaks down five practical shifts parents can make now to help teens build the confidence, communication skills, resilience, judgment, and self-awareness they’ll need in adulthood.

You’ll hear why the parenting job description changes during the teen years, why discomfort can actually be a sign of growth, and why stepping back doesn’t mean checking out.

Jena shares how parents can:

• shift from protection to practice
• ask more questions and give fewer answers
• create real-world opportunities for teens to interact with adults
• coach from the sidelines instead of stepping in too quickly
• help teens treat experiences—good and bad—as useful data about who they are

The goal isn’t to remove every uncomfortable experience.

It’s to create the conditions where confidence, independence, and self-trust can grow.

Raising a capable adult often means resisting the urge to do for them what they are ready to learn to do for themselves.

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Teenagers today aren’t less capable, but they are getting less practice.

In this first episode of Season 3, Jena introduces a new direction for Elevated Leadership: helping parents prepare teens for the human side of adulthood.

Technology has made life easier in countless ways, but it has also quietly removed many of the everyday interactions that used to teach young people how to communicate, advocate for themselves, handle uncomfortable conversations, connect with adults, and make a strong impression.

The problem is that our expectations haven’t changed.

We still expect young adults to walk into an interview confidently, communicate clearly, build relationships, solve problems, and navigate the real world, even when they’ve had fewer opportunities to practice those skills.

In this episode, Jena shares why she believes teens have enormous potential, why “human skills” may become even more valuable in an AI-driven world, and what parents can do to intentionally create the practice their teens need to stand out.

The goal is never to tell teens exactly who to become, it's to give them practice and confidence to become their own leader.

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What makes a teen stand out? It has far less to do with GPA than many people think, and much more to do with how they show up and connect in person.

In this trailer, Jena Young introduces Standout Teen, a special season of the Elevated Leadership podcast created for parents raising teenagers. She explores why interpersonal skills like making a strong first impression, advocating for yourself, carrying yourself with confidence, understanding your values, and connecting with adults have become increasingly rare and valuable.

As an entrepreneur, leadership coach, and mother of a teenage daughter, Jena brings a unique perspective on what employers are looking for and how parents can help teens prepare for the real world. Throughout the season, she’ll offer practical ideas parents can use to give teens more of what they deserve: grace, credit, and opportunities to practice the human skills that will help them stand out.

Jena closes out Season Two with a powerful conversation on one of the greatest tests leaders face: uncertainty. From global crises like COVID to everyday business disruptions, she explores how leaders can steady the ship when fear and confusion run high. Jena shares a clear communication framework for leading when answers are limited, highlights common traps to avoid, and offers practical strategies for staying grounded, present, and purpose-driven. This final episode celebrates the season’s theme of taking ownership of your side of the street and equips leaders with the tools to navigate chaos with clarity and calm.

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

In this episode, Jena shares her hard-earned lessons on what it really takes to build and retain a strong team. Drawing from her own experience as a business owner, she invites leaders to reflect on four key questions: Are your values clear and alive in your workplace? Are you honest about the type of roles you’re offering: starter, stepping stone, or career? Do you know what your employees truly value? And are you facing the external realities of your business head-on?

With candor and humor, Jena reveals what she wishes she had known earlier, why values-based hiring matters, and how embracing the facts (instead of fighting them) helps leaders stop spinning their wheels. Whether you’re struggling with turnover, frustrated with hiring, or simply want to strengthen your leadership, this episode will help you see your team-building challenges in a whole new light.

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

In this episode Jena dives into the four essential messages every leader should communicate to their team. She explores why clear, heartfelt communication is the foundation of a thriving workplace.

Discover how to build trust, empower your employees, and create a positive culture by ensuring your team hears what truly matters—from honest feedback to genuine encouragement. Whether you’re a seasoned manager or just starting your leadership journey, this episode will give you practical insights and real-world examples to help you lead with clarity, confidence, and heart.

Tune in to learn how these four simple messages can transform your team’s engagement, performance, and overall happiness at work!

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

In this week’s episode, Jena shares three powerful themes that keep showing up in her own life and in the lives of the leaders she works with. These lessons are simple, but they hit hard:

• Rejection is Protection – why setbacks can actually steer you toward better opportunities.
• A Calm Mind Requires a Calm Body – how regulating your body is the key to clear, effective leadership.
• No One Will Care as Much About Your Business as You Do (and That's Okay!) – how to release resentment and step into true ownership.

These reminders are ones leaders often need to circle back to again and again. Tune in for a short but impactful conversation that just might shift the way you’re approaching your leadership this week.

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

In this episode of Elevated Leadership with Jena Young, Jena sits down with her Director of Operations, Bo Jennings, for a candid and insightful conversation. Together they tackle three big topics every leader faces: how to let go of employees while staying grounded, how to show up for your team even when you don’t feel your best, and how they, along with Jena's business partner/husband Jeff, make decisions while honoring how different their approaches are. .

Bo brings decades of experience in hospitality and a deep commitment to never stop growing. He shares hard-earned leadership lessons, honest reflections, and the mindset that keeps him evolving. This episode offers both practical tools and a rare behind-the-scenes look at how Jena and her team run their businesses.

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

Being a middle manager means living “in the middle of it all,” balancing the needs of your staff with the expectations of ownership, while keeping service and culture strong.

In this punchy, insight-packed conversation, Jena sits down with Jasmine Burne, Hospitality Director for Side Street Hospitality. Over the last 10 years, Jasmine has grown with Side Street Café and its sister businesses, moving from the floor to a leadership role where she now supports teams across the organization. And yes, she can still shake up a mean cocktail! 

We cover real-world lessons every middle manager can relate to, including:

• Why organization is the foundation of strong leadership
• The responsibility of setting staff up for success every shift
• How to execute plans even when they’re not your own idea
• The importance of growing with your organization as it evolves
• The importance of letting go of staff when they no longer fit the culture. 

This episode is short but loaded with gems that will empower you to see the value of your role and lead with clarity and confidence.

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

In this episode, Jena shares her favorite “rules of thumb” for effective leadership.

She rattles off practical leadership principles, from actionable advice on handling lingering issues, restructuring hard-to-fill roles, and navigating the tricky territory of toxic top performers. She also revisits the classic “hire slow, fire fast” mantra, emphasizing the value of thoughtful hiring and decisive action.

Whether you’re a seasoned manager or just starting your leadership journey, this episode is packed with relatable stories, actionable insights, and encouragement to lead with clarity, confidence, and heart. Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who could use a leadership boost!

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com