Embers

Members of the Freeport Girls Varsity Soccer team discuss the difference between cliques and friend groups, and how to navigate being on the inside—or outside—of them. They share their thoughts on the power of kindness, embracing diversity, and staying true to yourself as important pillars of finding connection, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

What happens when young athletes are given space to put down the pressure to perform — and simply be themselves?

Following our preseason retreat with Freeport High School’s boys varsity soccer team, we sat down with a few of the players for a conversation about vulnerability, connection, masculinity, and what it means to show up as yourself.

We talked about what it takes to ask for help, why it can be hard for young men to show uncertainty or emotion, and what changes when teammates know they don’t have to prove themselves to one another.

We found their open hearted sharing honest, thoughtful, and full of hope.

This week, we're giving our regular teen co-hosts a well-deserved summer break—and practicing a little of what this episode is all about. Instead of recording something new, we're revisiting a conversation our Valo teens shared a couple of years ago that feels just as relevant today.

In this episode, our teens lead a conversation about their daily routines around exercise, sleep, and nutrition, and how these habits support their emotional wellbeing. Their reflections are thoughtful, practical, and refreshingly honest. While the conversation is rooted in their experiences, there's something here for listeners of every age. Sometimes the best reminders about caring for ourselves come from hearing how young people are figuring it out, too.

In this month's podcast, recently graduated seniors sat down with Valo alumni to discuss the transition from high school to college and life beyond. They explored it all… from finding community and building new friendships to managing greater independence and navigating challenges. At the heart of the conversation, the alumni share wisely about how to find balance and stay connected to what matters most.

In honor of mental health awareness month, our hosts sat down with fellow Valo teens to discuss all things mental health. They spoke about stigma, they brainstormed ways to support loved ones going through hardship, and they emphasized that mental wellbeing looks different for everyone.

Curious? Hit Play to hear what our teens have to say

With Earth Day just around the corner, our teens gathered to talk about our planet, what it means to live sustainably, and how the earth and mental wellbeing are so closely connected.

This month our podcast teen hosts hit the road and recorded the episode with youth they met at MYAN’s Youth Leadership Conference. This month our podcast teen hosts hit the road and recorded the episode with youth they met at MYAN’s Youth Leadership Conference. The teens had a lively discussion with their peers about finding balance, navigating the challenges of time, and centering themselves during this transitional period of life.

In this episode, our teens start with a simple question: Is curiosity something you’re born with, or something you build? They explore what happens when we keep asking questions — or when we stop — and how curiosity shapes the way we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. Along the way, we reflect on how it changes as we grow, how social media affects it, and what we wish adults were more curious about.

Curious? Hit Play and hear what our teens have to say!

in this episode: Valo teens and community members shared their thoughts about environmental stewardship and the mental health benefits of spending time outdoors. From building connection to reducing stress, this episode explores how caring for the planet can also help us care for ourselves.

In this episode, we listened to our teens share what parts of Valo resonate for them and what makes our programs and teens’ engagement so important today. Our Executive Director, Dana, spoke with the teens during a recent teen-organized coffee house. You can hear their joyous banter in the background. :)