Leaders of Today: From Teens to Titans

Victoria Carrington Chávez is a celebrated storyteller, visual arts expert and social media strategist, known as "pure magic" in her field. Leading Lilac & Aspen and La Mezcla Creative Co., she blends creativity with community building in her branding strategies.

A Colorado native with Afro-Indigenous Latinx roots, Victoria is a dynamic speaker on multiculturalism, leadership, and entrepreneurship, acclaimed for her TEDx talk and engaging presence. Her collaborations range from six figure CEOs to nonprofits, and she’s guest lectured on Visual Storytelling at Northeastern University.

She’s worked with figures like children’s author Alyssa Reynoso-Morris and social media influencer Mama Nous, and has shared her expertise at the University of New Hampshire’s Business School. Victoria holds a B.A. in Communications and Spanish from the University of Colorado Boulder and has a deep involvement in digital marketing and graphic design since 2010. She’s launching new courses for entrepreneurs in branding and social media storytelling this year. A dedicated advocate for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, Victoria’s efforts aim to bring vibrancy and inclusivity to all aspects of her work. 

Episode Summary: In the premiere episode of Season 3, Lorraine Connell sits down with Victoria Carrington Chavez to explore the transformative journey of overcoming shyness and building confidence and the significant impact teachers have on students' lives. Victoria shares her personal story, providing deep insights into the challenges and triumphs she experienced growing up.

Key Discussion Points:

• Introductory Discussion: Lorraine and Victoria open with a warm conversation, setting the stage for the deep dive into Victoria’s journey.

• Multicultural Background: Growing up in Boulder, Colorado, Victoria discusses her multicultural background and how it shaped her identity.

• Role of Educators: Lorraine and Victoria delve into the roles of honesty, compassion, and ownership of mistakes in education. They discuss the power dynamics between teachers and students and the negative consequences of unrealistic expectations.

• Realistic Goals: Victoria emphasizes the importance of setting realistic goals and the courage to challenge and update success metrics.

• Self-Discovery: Victoria shares her journey of self-discovery, from struggling with societal expectations to embracing her authentic self.

• Authentic Storytelling: Victoria discusses her work in visual arts, social media, and branding, empowering non-traditional thought leaders and entrepreneurs to share their stories.

• Future Collaborations: Victoria and Lorraine reflect on their personal growth and discuss potential future collaborations, particularly in youth work.

Resources and Links:

• Victoria Carrington Chavez’s TED Talk: TED Talk

Join the Conversation: We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Connect with us on social media using #TeensToTitans and share your insights and experiences. Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated on future episodes!

Contact Information:

• Host: Lorraine Connell - [email protected]

Thank you for tuning in to the Teens to Titans podcast! We hope this episode inspires and empowers you on your journey. Stay tuned for more insightful conversations in this season!

In this first enlightening episode of the Teens to Titans season three podcast, Lorraine Connell, a teen leadership coach, sits down with Dr. Brittney Ezell, CEO of Keller Williams Realty in Northeast Tennessee, to discuss the vital role of parental involvement in fostering teen leadership. Together, they delve into the importance of allowing teens to make mistakes, the significance of failure in building courage and confidence, and the crucial role of mentorship.

Episode Highlights:

Introduction to Dr. Brittney Ezell:

• Britteny shares her background, including her family and professional roles, emphasizing her position as the CEO team leader of Keller Williams Realty.

Brittany's Leadership Journey and Approach:

• Brittney attributes her leadership journey to her parents' influence and early experiences in athletics.

Fostering Belonging and Self-Confidence for Success:

• The importance of a sense of belonging and self-confidence in personal success.

Focusing on Personal Performance and Teamwork:

• The importance of focusing on personal performance and preparation in competition rather than solely on winning or losing.

Brittney's Strength and Resilience:

• The origins of Brittney's mental and physical strength, particularly her intestinal fortitude.

Advice for Parents and Young Adults:

• Britteny shares advice emphasizing the importance of self-compassion, grace, and a growth mindset.

Tune in to this episode for valuable insights on teen leadership, the impact of parental involvement, and the power of resilience and self-confidence.

Listen Now: [Link to Podcast Episode]

Follow Us:

• Instagram: @Peersnotfears

Subscribe & Leave a Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to provide valuable content.

Avery is an incredible person in so many ways.  He is a two time leukemia survivor a film director, musician, and poet currently based in Chicago with the mission of showing others that they’re not alone in their struggles and that the world is brighter with them in it.  I knew of Avery and his story from when it was happening, but I was fortunate to meet him during his high school tenure.  I am lucky to have met such an incredible person with such a positive mission, he inspired me, and I hope inspires you.

You can find him and his work on Instagram @averyforrestall

In this podcast Joe gives ideas to teachers, school administrators and students. Joe spent his high school years learning what type of leader he was. He was a student leader, and mentor in a program that allowed him to earn elective credits while developing his own leadership as well as underclass students. 

Joe has published the article on professional athletes and their legacy:   Moving the Ball Forward: Professional Athletes and Social Change — Weave News

Find Joe on Instagram @jsimeone11 and Twitter @JoeSimeone3

Welcome to the teaser for Season 3 of Education Unimagined! This season, we delve into the formative experiences of current adult leaders, uncovering the pivotal moments from their youth that shaped them into the leaders they are today. In this special teaser episode, we introduce our host, Lorraine Connell, the founder of Peers Not Fears, and learn about her inspiring journey.

Episode Highlights:

Meet the Host: Get to know Lorraine Connell, the passionate host and founder of Peers Not Fears. Lorraine’s mission is to redefine leadership and empower teens to realize their potential.

Lorraine's Teen Years: Lorraine opens up about her challenging teenage years. She reflects on feeling like she didn't belong, struggling to understand true friendship, and the impact of being cut from a sport she thought she excelled at.

Transformative Influence: Hear about the two high school teachers who made a profound impact on Lorraine's life. They taught her that she was capable of overcoming difficult challenges, a lesson that stayed with her and shaped her future.

From Teacher to Leader: Lorraine shares her journey from becoming a chemistry teacher, where she inspired teens to tackle hard things, to eventually founding Peers Not Fears. Her goal is to help teens everywhere understand that leadership isn’t about titles, but about the courage to face challenges head-on.

Season 3 Preview: Get a sneak peek into the upcoming season, where Lorraine interviews current adult leaders about their youth experiences and the lessons they learned that contributed to their leadership development.

Quotes:

• "I didn’t feel like I belonged, and I didn’t really know what true friendship was."

Call to Action:

• Subscribe Now: Don't miss an episode of Education Unimagined Season 3. Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform.

Social Media Links:

• Instagram: @PeersNotFears

Tune In: Listen to the full teaser episode to learn more about Lorraine Connell’s journey and get excited for the incredible stories coming your way in Season 3 of Education Unimagined.

Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe and leave a review to help others discover the podcast and join our community of lifelong learners and leaders.

Teen Relationship Email Series Click Here

Teen Leadership Cohort Click Here

The podcast link to This is So Awkward 

Welcome to "Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans," the podcast dedicated to empowering our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. Let's focus on one of the most challenging aspects of parenting—our relationships with our teens. This episode marks the beginning of our series on navigating the dynamic and often tricky relationships between parents and their teenage children. Stick around until the end to find out how you can join our email series and gain access to a wealth of resources to support you in this journey.

Oh boy, this is a challenge every parent faces. While I'm not a parent coach, I know a few amazing ones who have taught me a lot. Feel free to reach out if you want a connection to one of my incredible colleagues for parent coaching. In this episode, I’ll share information about my resources, lessons I've learned as a parent of teens, and insights from coaching teens. I've also listened to countless hours of podcasts from experts in the field, and I'm excited to share what I've learned.

Our relationship with our teens is changing because so much of their lives are changing. Ironically, when they need us the most, they often pull away. It's crucial for them to know we are still there when they muster the courage to come to us. One of the hardest things is dealing with the hurt when they don’t reach out to us for help. I’ve found myself reacting in ways that reflect my own hurt, which is never the right answer. Remember, we all make mistakes, especially when we’re hurting.

Having spoken to hundreds of teens, I know they want to trust us and need to know we will be there when they make mistakes. As parents, it’s tempting to say, "I told you so," but hold back! Instead, listen to them, ask what they learned, and help them evaluate the situation and identify what they could have done differently. This approach helps them problem-solve and learn from their mistakes, preparing them for life outside the home.

So, what are some key strategies for building a strong relationship with your teen? Here are a few I’ve found particularly effective:

Admit Your Own Mistakes:

• Demonstrate to your children that mistakes happen and no one is immune.

• Show them how to handle themselves when they make a mistake by owning up to your actions.

• If you hide or deny your mistakes, your teen will likely do the same, leading to worse outcomes when they get caught.

Learn to Listen:

• Often, we wait to respond rather than truly listening to our teens. This approach doesn’t work.

• Practice active listening. When I started practicing it, the results were incredible.

Setting Boundaries and Being a Sounding Board:

• Set rules that provide a safe environment without being overly restrictive. Your role is to be a non-judgmental sounding board.

• When setting rules, ensure they are balanced so your teen doesn’t feel the need to rebel excessively. Remember, we are their lifeline.

The two best things you can do to show your teens that your relationship is solid are to admit your mistakes and listen actively. These behaviors demonstrate how to handle mistakes and create a supportive environment.

Want to learn more? Access the full resource on navigating difficult conversations and conflicts with your teen by signing up with your email! The link to join our email series with all the resources can be found in the show notes.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans." If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with other parents who might benefit from this conversation. Together, we can support our teens in building healthy, positive relationships and becoming the leaders of tomorrow.

Teen Relationship Email Series Click Here

Teen Leadership Cohort Click Here

The podcast link to This is So Awkward 

Welcome to "Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans," the podcast dedicated to empowering our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. Let's dive into the complexities of teen dating. This episode is the first in our new series on understanding and supporting our teens as they navigate romantic relationships. Stick around until the end to find out how you can join our email series and gain access to all the resources we’ll discuss today.

Teen dating today is vastly different from when we were teenagers, even down to the terminology. Remember the bases? That concept is completely outdated now. If that realization alone surprises you, it's a wake-up call to the need for defining experiences and expectations for our teens. I’ve created resources to help teens define roles and experiences in their romantic connections. While we may not fully catch up, it's critical to help them understand what terms mean individually and within their relationships. Misunderstandings can lead to uncomfortable experiences, such as differing interpretations of "hook-up."

As a teacher and a parent, I realized I wasn't great at asking for consent. How could I expect my children or students to understand and practice consent in critical situations if they weren't exposed to it from me? I've since changed my behavior and shared how parents can better ask for and respect consent, giving children the opportunity to express it. This is one of the key areas we cover in our resources.

So, what are some of the key points covered in our resource on understanding teen dating? Let’s break it down:

• Activity: Teens are asked to define several relationship terms.

• Example: They then compare their definitions with their friends or romantic partners to identify any misalignments. For instance, one teen might think "dating" means exclusivity, while another might see it as casual.

• Activity: Teens consider statements like, "I have no regrets about my relationships or my behavior in a relationship."

• Example: Encouraging self-awareness and thoughtful reflection on past and current relationships helps teens understand their actions and their impact.

• Activity: Teaching the importance of understanding and expressing consent.

• Example: Discussing how to ask for and give consent in various situations. One parent shared how their daughter effectively handled a challenging situation because of a conversation we had about integrity. It was comforting to know she had that resource.

• Activity: Acknowledging that teens may be in sexual relationships rather than just romantic ones with a sexual component.

• Example: Engaging in these conversations proactively, before situations arise, to prepare teens. This includes talking about the emotional and physical aspects of relationships.

• Activity: Using scenarios to help teens think through potential situations and their responses.

• Example: Building their ability to handle real-life situations based on prior discussions. For example, what to do if a partner pressures them into something they're not comfortable with.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans." If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with other parents who might benefit from this conversation. Together, we can support our teens in navigating their relationships and becoming the leaders of tomorrow.

Teen Relationship Email Series Click Here

Teen Leadership Cohort Click Here

The podcast link to This is So Awkward 

Welcome to "Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans," the podcast where we explore how to empower our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. Let's dive into a topic that every parent of a teenager will find incredibly relevant—teen friendships. This episode kicks off a new series dedicated to understanding and supporting the ever-changing social lives of our teens.

When our kids become teenagers, their friendships change dramatically. Kids who were once close friends may drift apart, while new connections form. The onset of "mean girl" behavior and other social dynamics can be overwhelming for both teens and parents alike. As parents, it can be frustrating to feel off base when we try to share our observations about their friendships. It’s tough to resist the urge to say, “It’s your life, deal with the consequences,” especially when we end up comforting them after a friend betrays their trust. It’s a challenging time for them and for us as parents.

So, what can we do? My best advice is to be a listener and show genuine curiosity about what’s happening in their social lives. One activity I find particularly helpful in my program is creating personal webs with the teens.

Every time we do this activity, teens often come back and say, “Wow, I had no idea I had such a [positive/negative] relationship with this person. When I did my web, it was so clear to me.” Teens generally know who is good for them and who is toxic, but it’s hard to admit mistakes in relationships at this age. Seeing these dynamics laid out on paper can be incredibly eye-opening. It’s either a reality check or a confirmation of how lucky they are.

The activity involves creating a web that links everyone in their lives. I encourage teens to take a day or two to complete this, as they may not remember everyone at once. As they go through their daily routine, they recall people on the periphery of their lives. Once the web is complete, we evaluate each relationship for positive or negative qualities.

We pick two different colors to represent positive and negative qualities. For example, let’s use red and green. We assess each relationship based on several qualities:

• Power:
  • Red for relationships where there’s a power imbalance (either they have power over someone or someone has power over them).

There are other qualities we evaluate in the activity, but this is a great starting point for your teen to see what types of relationships they have.

I also encourage you, as a parent, to create your own web and share your findings with your teen. This can open the door to meaningful conversations about relationships. By being a listener, showing curiosity, and using tools like the personal web activity, we can help our teens navigate their friendships more effectively. This approach not only helps them identify positive and toxic relationships but also fosters open communication between you and your teen.

And here's something exciting—this episode is just the beginning of a new series on navigating teen relationships! To stay updated and receive all the resources we’ll be sharing, including detailed guides and activities, make sure to join our email series. You can find the link to join in the show notes.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans." If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with other parents who might benefit from this conversation. Together, we can support our teens in building healthy, positive relationships and becoming the leaders of tomorrow.

Teen Relationship Email Series Click Here

Teen Leadership Cohort Click Here

The podcast link to This is So Awkward 

Welcome to "Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans," the podcast dedicated to empowering our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. We’re kicking off a new series focused on helping parents and teens navigate the complex world of teenage relationships. This series will cover relationships with peers, dating partners, parents, and friends. Each episode will provide valuable insights and strategies to support your teen through these formative years. Stay tuned until the end to find out how you can join our email series and gain access to all the resources we discuss today.

The teenage years are crucial for developing relationships that shape one’s identity and future interactions. This series aims to provide parents with insights and strategies to help teens navigate relationships with peers, dating partners, parents, and classmates. It is not an easy task, as relationships become more complex during these years, and our kids often share less information with us. As a teen leadership coach, I understand firsthand how challenging these years can be. I needed these resources for myself as a teen and now as a parent of teenagers.

Today, we’re diving into peer relationships. When working with teens in the leadership cohort, one of the most impactful activities is a discussion about integrity. We explore what integrity means and the challenges associated with it. Peer relationships in middle and high school are highly influential. Every teen wants to belong, and sometimes they will go to great lengths to feel accepted. The group they belong to might not be the one they or we, as parents, desire. This dynamic is challenging for both teens and parents.

Every parent and teen faces situations where teens might act out, try new things, or shut down entirely. These behaviors are often responses to the pressure to belong and be accepted. Discussing integrity helps teens reflect on their behavior by sharing experiences they've witnessed. It provides a safe space to evaluate what they would want done for them in similar situations, fostering empathy, awareness, and kindness. This activity is most effective in a group setting, where teens can hear and learn from each other.

We start with a question like: "You walk into the cafeteria and see another student sitting alone. None of your friends think twice about it, but you do. What do you do?" They don’t have to act on what they say they would do, but thinking about it initiates the integrity conversation. This discussion is invaluable, and I love facilitating it. I know they will think about their peers differently the next time they enter the cafeteria. What they do is up to them, but they will have considered their actions, which is more than most students do.

Join our next info session to see if your teen is ready to join the Young Teen Leadership Cohort. By participating, your teen will engage in meaningful discussions and activities that help them navigate their relationships with integrity and empathy.

Want to stay updated and receive all the resources we’ll be discussing in this series? Sign up for our email series by following the link in the show notes. You'll gain access to valuable tools and information to support your teen through their journey.

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with other parents who might benefit from this conversation. Together, we can support our teens in navigating their relationships and becoming the leaders of tomorrow. 

Welcome to Season 3 of Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans, the podcast where we delve into the formative experiences of today's leaders, uncovering how their young adult years shaped them into the influential figures they are today. 

In this exciting trailer for Season 3, we offer a glimpse into the compelling stories and profound insights from our upcoming interviews with current leaders. Each episode will feature personal reflections on the critical moments and experiences from their young adult years that influenced their leadership journeys.

• In-Depth Interviews: Engage with leaders across various fields as they share candid and inspiring stories from their youth, revealing the pivotal experiences that sparked their leadership development.

Our diverse lineup includes leaders from a wide range of industries, including:

• Heads of Schools who transformed educational institutions with visionary leadership.

• Resilience and Determination: Overcoming early obstacles and maintaining perseverance.

We invite you to be part of this enlightening journey. Subscribe to Leaders of Today to ensure you don’t miss an episode. Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes content, updates, and more.

• Subscribe to Education Unimagined on your favorite podcast platform.

Season 3 of Leaders of Today promises to be our most impactful yet. We’re excited to share these incredible stories with you and inspire the next generation of leaders. Tune in and let’s reimagine education and leadership together.

Stay tuned for our first episode, dropping soon!