Positive World, Positive People

As we move through our teenage years, friendships often begin to change. People we once felt inseparable from might drift away, friend groups shift, and sometimes we’re left wondering what we did wrong or if something is wrong with us. These changes can feel confusing, painful, and isolating, especially when no one really talks about how normal they are. Because of this, I wanted to understand why friendships shift so much during adolescence and how teens can cope with these changes in healthy, grounded ways, without blaming themselves or losing confidence in who they are. With this in mind, I invited Dr. Olga Kornienko to the podcast.

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In our previous episode, we sat down with Jenny Garrett to talk about building self-esteem, what it means to find confidence from within, and how to navigate identity in a world full of comparison. We explored how self-worth connects to authenticity and leadership, and why believing in yourself is one of the most powerful things you can do as a teenager. Today, we’re taking that conversation a step further. We’ll dive into how hope and purpose can strengthen that confidence; how believing in yourself not only shapes how you think, but how you live, grow, and move forward through challenges. To help us unpack this topic, I am honored to welcome Dr. Julia Garcia to the podcast.

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Our guest today is Jahkil Jackson, who turned his own curiosity, empathy, and sense of purpose into a global movement. Jahkil is a three-time best-selling author, youth philanthropist, student-athlete, and social entrepreneur. When he was eight years old, he founded Project I Am, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about homelessness and assisting those in need by creating and distributing “Blessing Bags” filled with essential items.

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In our last episode, we explored the topic of self-esteem with Sadie Sutton and discussed what it truly means to find confidence from within. We talked about how anxiety and self-worth often overlap, and how learning to accept ourselves can be one of the most powerful tools for mental health. Today, we’re continuing that conversation, but from a new angle. This time, we’ll focus on how self-esteem connects to identity, purpose, and leadership, and how teenagers can build authentic confidence that lasts. To help us dive deeper into this topic, I’m so excited to welcome Jenny Garrett to the podcast.

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As teenagers, self-esteem does not always come naturally. Being able to be confident in who we are, who we want to be, and what we want to become is incredibly difficult. Between social media pressures, academic stress, and the constant comparisons that surround us, it can feel nearly impossible to truly love ourselves. With that in mind, I wanted to explore how teens can build healthy confidence and develop positive self-esteem, both in their daily lives and within their communities. To guide us in this conversation, I am thrilled to welcome Sadie Sutton to the podcast.

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Through our teenage and young adult years, we begin to take the steps to discover our true identities and passions. Discovering who our true selves are makes an incredible difference in our everyday lives, but sometimes that journey of discovery is incredibly rough. The components of life get thrown into the mix, and sometimes we lose who we are supposed to be along the way.  To help us discuss how to find our true passions in life and ourselves is Julie Lythcott-Haims.

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I’m thrilled to welcome today’s guest for our first episode of the newest PoWoPoPe series, Change Starts Small. Nate Wilbourne is a youth and nature advocate from New Zealand. Nate has done incredible work in environmental conservation, climate justice, and youth empowerment.

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As we develop into our teenage years, life begins to move at lightning speed. School becomes more demanding, extracurriculars fill up our afternoons, and social pressures seem to grow by the day. Amid all of this, the simple acts of kindness and selflessness that once felt natural can begin to fade. It’s not that we care any less; it’s that life gets busier, and sometimes kindness unintentionally gets pushed aside. With this, I wanted to explore how teenagers can stay kind beyond these stressful years and ensure that it becomes part of who they are. With that in mind, I have invited Dr. Karen Bluth to the podcast.

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As we begin our teenage years, schoolwork begins to pile up, activities become more demanding, and thoughts about college consume every waking minute. In all, life becomes more anxiety-inducing and sometimes frightening. Thinking about all this, I wanted to discover techniques teenagers can begin to use to control their anxiety and start to learn ways to advocate for themselves when life becomes too overwhelming. With this in mind, I have invited Dr. Amanda Jensen-Doss to the podcast.

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Teenagehood is the beginning of the rest of our lives. From diving into rigorous classes at school to developing meaningful friendships, teenagers prepare for the future in multiple ways. However, why does it always feel like the future is too close and far at the same time? The pressures from society build, and in the end, making decisions that could determine the rest of our lives is terrifying. With this in mind, I have invited Dr. Jeffery Arnett to join us in discussing this topic.

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