Teen Exec Podcast

What does it take to build a newspaper from the ground up—and what do you learn after doing it every week for a year?

In this episode of the Teen Exec Podcast, host Natalya Lucas speaks with Melissa Russell, founding and managing editor of the Weston Observer, and Chris Larrabee, assistant editor, as the newspaper celebrates its first anniversary.

Melissa and Chris share what it was like to launch a newspaper without the systems, relationships, and institutional knowledge of an established publication. They talk about getting to know a community, building relationships with sources, creating the infrastructure needed to produce a weekly paper, and learning about Weston while simultaneously reporting on it.

The conversation also goes behind the scenes of producing the Observer. Melissa and Chris explain how they decide what is newsworthy, manage competing stories and deadlines, and adjust when plans change. Looking back on their first year, they discuss how experience has given them stronger relationships, deeper knowledge of the community, and a better sense of where to focus their attention.

For students interested in journalism, they offer practical advice about curiosity, listening, preparation, asking good questions, accepting feedback, and learning from mistakes. They also share their own paths into journalism—and why neither started college expecting to become a journalist.

Natalya closes by reflecting on a lesson that extends beyond journalism: many skills develop through experience—trying something, seeing what works, adjusting, and being better prepared the next time. She also shares what writing a student column for the Weston Observer has taught her about contributing to a larger community conversation.

Many thanks to the Weston Media Center for helping us record and edit this episode.

Resources & Links:

• For student journalists: Use our 5 Questions for Your Student Newsroom discussion guide with your journalism class, editorial board, or newspaper staff. The questions build on Melissa and Chris's experiences and explore what you cover, how you choose stories, interviewing, handling the unexpected, and becoming a better journalist.
• You can read my reflections on the interview here: Experience Is Part of the Training
• Weston Observer
• Above the Fold, the Weston Observer podcast
• Weston Media Center
• Visit TeenExec.com for blog posts, tools, and upcoming programs
• Join Teen Exec on Instagram and LinkedIn

What does it take to lead, make difficult decisions, and turn an interest in your community into meaningful action?

In this episode of the Teen Exec Podcast, host Natalya Lucas speaks with Massachusetts State Representative Alice Peisch, who represents the 14th Norfolk District, including Wellesley, Weston, and part of Lincoln.

Representative Peisch shares how her path into public service began at the local level and eventually led to the Massachusetts State House. She talks about what the work of a state representative actually looks like, from developing legislation and meeting with constituents to helping communities navigate state government.

The conversation explores how leaders make decisions when there are competing priorities and perspectives. Representative Peisch discusses the importance of learning about an issue, listening to different points of view, looking for common ground, and recognizing that making progress often requires working with people who don't completely agree.

She also offers a behind-the-scenes look at how she manages a job with no typical day. She explains how she prioritizes among many different responsibilities, works with her staff to keep track of issues and constituent concerns, and uses a weekly review to make sure important and time-sensitive matters receive attention.

Drawing on her 12 years as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education and her service on the National Assessment Governing Board, Representative Peisch also shares her perspective on education, assessments, technology, cell phones and social media, and the importance of helping students learn how to evaluate the information they encounter.

The episode closes with a conversation about how young people can make a difference even before they're old enough to vote. Representative Peisch encourages students to get involved in student and local government, learn about issues they care about, reach out directly to elected officials, and listen to people who may see those issues differently.

Many thanks to the Weston Media Center for helping us record and edit this episode.

Resources & Links:

• You can read my reflections on the interview here: What I learned about leadership and government from State Representative Alice Peisch.
• Massachusetts House of Representatives — Representative Alice Peisch
• Massachusetts General Court
• National Assessment Governing Board
• Visit TeenExec.com for blog posts, tools, and upcoming programs
• Join Teen Exec on Instagram and LinkedIn

What does it take to lead, make decisions, and plan for the future of a public school district?

In this episode of the Teen Exec Podcast, host Natalya Lucas and Dr. Stacy Smith speak with Steve Dietz, a candidate for the Weston School Committee.

As part of a special series, the two candidates in the 2026 School Committee election are asked the same set of questions in separate interviews. These conversations are designed to help listeners understand each candidate’s background, leadership approach, and perspective on key issues facing Weston’s schools. Weston’s town election will take place on May 2, 2026, which provides important context for these discussions.

Steve shares how his background in technology and product management influences the way he thinks about leadership. He talks about the importance of listening, asking good questions, and working through complex problems step by step.

The conversation also explores how leaders weigh competing priorities, along with perspectives on technology in education, supporting teachers, and maintaining strong academic standards.

The episode closes with advice for students on leadership, decision-making, and building independence.

Many thanks to the Weston Media Center for helping us record and edit this episode.

• Steve’s campaign website
• Weston Observer’s interview with Steve
• Weston Public Schools
• Weston School Committee
• Visit TeenExec.com for information about upcoming workshops, coaching, and other insights
• Join Teen Exec on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

What does it take to lead, make decisions, and plan for the future of a public school district?

In this episode of the Teen Exec Podcast, host Natalya Lucas and Dr. Stacy Smith speak with Adam Newman, a candidate for the Weston School Committee.

As part of a special series, the two candidates in the 2026 School Committee election are asked the same set of questions in separate interviews. These conversations are meant to give listeners a clear look at each candidate’s background, leadership style, and perspective on key issues facing Weston’s schools. Weston’s town election will take place on May 2, 2026, which provides important context for these discussions.

Adam shares how his experience—from classroom teaching to working across the education sector—shapes the way he approaches leadership today. He talks about adapting to different situations, making decisions when there are real tradeoffs, and focusing on turning plans into results.

The conversation also covers priorities for the district, including community engagement and continuing to improve outcomes for students over time.

The episode closes with advice for students on leadership, organization, and making thoughtful decisions.

Many thanks to the Weston Media Center for helping us record and edit this episode.

• Adam’s campaign website
• Weston Observer’s interview with Adam
• Weston Public Schools
• Weston School Committee
• Visit TeenExec.com for information about upcoming workshops, coaching, and other insights
• Join Teen Exec on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

In this Leadership Journey episode of the Teen Exec Podcast, host Natalya Lucas talks with Dr. Jerry Smith—former chair of the Marketing Department in the Carroll School of Management at Boston College—about how classic marketing ideas like positioning, branding, value, and pricing can help teens make smarter choices today. Dr. Smith traces his path from economics and music to Parker Brothers and General Mills, then into academia and consulting. He shares why financial literacy matters, how to think in three money buckets (now, soon, long-term), and why mentors often make the difference between potential and progress.

What You’ll Learn:

• Positioning yourself: how to define what you stand for and communicate your value
• Pricing & value (for life): thinking beyond price to the value you create and receive
• Financial literacy for teens: the “three buckets” approach to saving and spending
• Career paths aren’t linear: lessons from brand management to academia
• Mentors matter: how to find them and why they accelerate growth

Guest:

Dr. Jerry Smith — Former Chair of the Marketing Department of the Carroll School of Management at Boston College; researcher and consultant in pricing strategy; creator of a teen financial literacy course; passionate about helping young people apply business concepts to everyday life.

Try-This-Week (from the episode):

1. Position yourself: write 3 words you want others to use to describe you; do one action that proves each.
2. Think value, not just price: before a purchase, ask, What am I really getting for what I’m giving up?
3. Check opportunity cost: if you say yes to X, what are you saying no to?

Resources & Links:

• Visit TeenExec.com for blog posts, tools, and upcoming workshops
• Join Teen Exec on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

What does your desk have to do with leadership? In this Student Leadership Playbook episode of the Teen Exec Podcast, host Natalya Lucas teams up with her dad, Jeff Lucas, a college marketing instructor, to explore how organizing your study space can boost focus, reduce stress, and strengthen your ability to lead yourself—and others.

Together, they share the “five plus one rules” of organizing your study space for student leaders who want to stay focused:

• Keep it clear, keep it simple
• Create zones for different work
• Control distractions before they control you
• Light it up and make it comfortable
• End with a reset
• +1 Bonus: Organize your digital space too

You’ll learn why a clear space equals a clear mind, how physical and digital organization affect focus, and how small daily resets build long-term discipline—skills that directly translate to leadership. You’ll even hear a few AI prompts you can use to declutter faster and reset smarter.

If your desk tends to pile up—or if you’ve ever felt that a messy space leads to a messy mind—this episode gives you a simple framework to turn order into energy and self-management into leadership.

Many thanks to the Weston Media Center for helping us record and edit this episode.

Resources & Links:

• Getting Things Done for Teens by David Allen, Mike Williams, and Mark Wallace
• How to Be a High School Superstar by Cal Newport
• Visit TeenExec.com for blog posts, tools, and upcoming workshops
• Join Teen Exec on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

How do you get the most out of your relationship with a club advisor? In this Student Leadership Playbook episode of the Teen Exec Podcast, host Natalya Lucas teams up with her dad, Jeff Lucas, a college marketing instructor, to tackle one of the trickiest parts of student leadership: building a strong partnership with your advisor.

Together, they share the “five plus one rules” for working effectively with an advisor:

• Setting clear expectations and roles
• Keeping your advisor in the loop
• Treating them like a partner—not a boss or an obstacle
• Being honest when you’re stuck
• Celebrating wins together
• And the bonus: accepting “no” and adapting

You’ll hear examples from student clubs and sports teams, practical communication tips, and advice on managing up—skills that will serve you well not just in high school, but with professors, mentors, and even future bosses.

If you’ve ever felt micromanaged by an advisor, or struggled to know how much support to expect, this episode gives you a framework to lead with confidence while building trust and collaboration.

Many thanks to the Weston Media Center for helping us record and edit this episode.

Resources & Links:

• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
• Visit TeenExec.com for blog posts, tools, and upcoming workshops
• Join Teen Exec on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

What makes a meeting productive instead of frustrating? In this Student Leadership Playbook episode of the Teen Exec Podcast, host Natalya Lucas teams up with her dad, Jeff Lucas, a college marketing instructor, to explore the essential skills every student leader needs to plan and run better meetings.

Together, they share the “five plus one rules” of successful meetings:

• Setting a clear agenda with goals
• Guiding discussion so everyone participates
• Following up with action steps
• Assigning roles like timekeeper and note taker
• Scheduling the next step before you leave
• And the bonus: not every problem needs a meeting!

You’ll hear real examples from student clubs, learn how AI can make planning and follow-ups easier, and pick up practical tools you can use right away.

If you’ve ever left a meeting feeling like nothing got done—or if you’re stepping into a leadership role and want to do better—this episode gives you a simple framework you can put into practice now.

Many thanks to the Weston Media Center for helping us record and edit this episode.

Resources & Links:

• The Student Leadership Challenge by Kouzes & Posner
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
• Visit TeenExec.com for blog posts, tools, and upcoming workshops
• Join Teen Exec on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

What does it really take to lead, stay organized, and find your path—even when the future feels uncertain? In this first episode of the Teen Exec Podcast—part of our Leadership Journey track—host Natalya Lucas, a high school student and founder of Teen Exec, and her mom Dr. Stacy Smith talk with Dr. Karen Zaleski, Superintendent of Weston Public Schools.

Dr. Zaleski shares:

• How being a teen today compares with when she was in high school
• The pressures (and opportunities) that come with social media
• Why surrounding yourself with the right people matters
• What it means to lead by example
• Her own story of shifting from medicine to psychology to education—and how teens can explore passions without fear

She also opens up about time management strategies, the importance of communication skills, and the one piece of advice she’d give her teenage self.

Whether you’re trying to balance school, activities, and friends—or figuring out what kind of leader you want to become—this conversation offers practical insights you can use right now.

Many thanks to the Weston Media Center for helping us record and edit this episode.

Resources & Links:

• Dr. Zaleski's biography
• Weston Public Schools
• Teen Exec
• From the Teen Exec blog: How my first podcast episode challenged from executive functioning skills
• Visit TeenExec.com for blog posts, tools, and upcoming workshops
• Join Teen Exec on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

Welcome to the Teen Exec Podcast—the show that helps teens build the real-world skills they need to thrive in school, in leadership, and in life.

Hosted by high school student Natalya Lucas, founder of Teen Exec, the podcast explores how to stay organized, manage time, and lead with confidence. Some episodes feature insightful conversations with Natalya’s parents—her mom, a physician and professor, and her dad, a business school instructor and marketer. Others bring in inspiring guests from business, the arts, and beyond to share how executive functioning and leadership skills power their success.

In this trailer episode, Natalya shares what Teen Exec is all about, what listeners can expect, and why developing these skills now can make school—and life—easier and more rewarding.

👉 Follow or subscribe today so you don’t miss the first full episode!