Is your brain making things harder than they really are?

In this episode, Joey tells the story of a teen who dreaded doing a simple merit badge… until he realized the task wasn’t hard, he just hated thinking about it. Joey breaks down why we all get stuck in what he calls “the first unpleasantness,” and how recognizing that mental trap can make hard things feel easier.

Perfect for teens who avoid homework, chores, or anything that feels like a drag, this episode will teach you a simple mindset shift to move through resistance and get stuff done.

Secret for an Awesome Life: Most times, the thought about doing the thing is worse than actually doing the thing.

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My gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to Hero, is available now! Go to www.sidekicktohero.com to start a two-week free trial.

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Follow me on Instagram! www.instagram.com/sidekicktohero

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Joey Mascio is a teen confidence coach and motivational speaker. He helps teens eliminate self-doubt, manage emotions, develop social skills, and achieve their goals. He was a middle school teacher and counselor for 7 years, a former Disneyland performer, and an experienced improv comedian. He uses his Masters in Education, Bachelors in Creative Writing, and two professional life coach certifications to teach powerful resilience tools and strategies to teens through humor and stories.

This week, we’re busting the third Great Untruth: “Life is a battle between good people and evil people.” Teens will explore how tribal thinking, call-out culture, and enemy labeling are keeping them from developing empathy, leadership, and real relationships. I’ll show how true strength comes from understanding others, not dividing the world into heroes and villains. (The Coddling of the American Mind, Chapter 3)

Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero 

Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com

Saying “I can’t” sounds controlled. Saying “I won’t” sounds unstoppable. In this episode, I explore the life-changing difference between the two, teaching teens how to own their values with power and confidence, whether it’s about religious standards, digital discipline, or resisting peer pressure. This episode gives teens the tools to stop sounding limited and start standing tall.

🧠 Secret for an Awesome Life: If you want to hold to your values, choose to say “I won’t” instead of “I can’t.” It will give you more power.
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My gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to Hero, is available now! Go to www.sidekicktohero.com to start a two-week free trial.

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Follow me on Instagram! www.instagram.com/sidekicktohero

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Joey Mascio is a teen confidence coach and motivational speaker. He helps teens eliminate self-doubt, manage emotions, develop social skills, and achieve their goals. He was a middle school teacher and counselor for 7 years, a former Disneyland performer, and an experienced improv comedian. He uses his Masters in Education, Bachelors in Creative Writing, and two professional life coach certifications to teach powerful resilience tools and strategies to teens through humor and stories.

Feelings are real, but that doesn’t mean they’re always right. This week, we’re diving into the second Great Untruth: “Always trust your feelings.” Teens will learn how emotional reasoning traps them in false stories, and how to rewrite those stories using CBT tools. Through fun examples and practical techniques, they’ll learn to recognize when their brain is lying and how to lead their emotions instead of being led by them. (The Coddling of the American Mind, Chapter 2)

Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero 

Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com

This week, we’re diving into the first of the Three Great Untruths: “What doesn’t kill you makes you weaker.” Teens will learn why this belief is not only false—but actually harmful—and how believing they’re fragile holds them back from growing stronger. I’ll introduce the concept of being antifragile and challenge students to face discomfort head-on through a small “micro-challenge” that helps them build resilience, one rep at a time. (The Coddling of the American Mind, Chapter 1)

Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero 

Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com

This week kicks off our summer book series of The Coddling of the American Mind with a deep dive into the fake-but-funny story of the Oracle of Koalemos and his very real influence on modern thinking. Teens will learn how three popular beliefs—“What doesn’t kill you makes you weaker,” “Always trust your feelings,” and “Life is a battle between good people and evil people”—are shaping their mindset in sneaky, harmful ways. This summer, I’ll show them how to spot these untruths, challenge them, and replace them with thoughts that lead to resilience, confidence, and growth. 

Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero 

Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com

We’ll wrap up the month by showing teens how simple, consistent habits now can turn into financial success later. From investing basics (like compound interest) to giving generously and living below your means, this week shows how to be intentional with money for life. And yes—we’ll talk about how anyone can become a millionaire… even a 12-year-old who gets started early.

Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero 

Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com

Why is debt so dangerous, and why do so many people fall into it? We’ll cover the myths teens hear about “good debt,” credit cards, and borrowing from friends or family. We’ll teach them how to avoid it, what interest really does, and how saying “no” to debt now opens way more doors in the future. Book covered: The Total Money Mindset by Dave Ramsey

Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero 

Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com

I met a girl last week who had the absolute best way to look at her acne. She was the embodiment of owning your flaws. I share her story and one of my own from this past week when I was called Mr. Clean.

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My gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to Hero, is available now! Go to www.sidekicktohero.com to start a two-week free trial.

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Follow me on Instagram! www.instagram.com/sidekicktohero

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Joey Mascio is a teen confidence coach and motivational speaker. He helps teens eliminate self-doubt, manage emotions, develop social skills, and achieve their goals. He was a middle school teacher and counselor for 7 years, a former Disneyland performer, and an experienced improv comedian. He uses his Masters in Education, Bachelors in Creative Writing, and two professional life coach certifications to teach powerful resilience tools and strategies to teens through humor and stories.

This week, it’s all about spending wisely. Teens will learn how advertising and peer pressure lead to impulse buys, and how to decide if something is really worth their money. We’ll introduce the “24-Hour Rule,” budgeting basics, and why stuff never brings happiness—but smart spending can bring freedom.

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Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero 

Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com