Teen Life Podcast by Teen Life

04.23.2024

Classroom Environment + Food Dyes | Ep. 156

Creating a welcoming environment sets the tone. In episode 156 of the Teen Life Podcast, we explore the significance of fostering a welcoming environment not just at the door, but throughout our Teen Life groups or church small groups. In our journey...

04.16.2024

Below Grade Level + TikTok Ban | Ep. 155

Unlocking Success for Students Below Grade Level Report cards and grades have traditionally been our primary understanding of our children’s academic progress. Grades don’t always provide the full picture, however. That’s where Go Beyond Grades comes in. Go Beyond Grades is a national...

04.09.2024

Social Media Etiquette + Silent Teens | Ep. 154

How can we foster positive social media etiquette? Social media has undeniably become an integral part of our lives, especially for teenagers who often find themselves navigating its complexities daily. Unfortunately, as much as it can be a platform for connection...

04.02.2024

Test Anxiety + Credit Cards | Ep. 153

Helping teens understand how credit cards work. We want to equip our teens with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the complexities of the adult world. One crucial area often overlooked in these conversations is financial literacy, specifically understanding...

03.26.2024

Reporting Abuse + Opill Birth Control | Ep. 152

Do you know when reporting abuse is required and where to turn? As parents and caring adults, one of our most important responsibilities is ensuring the safety and well-being of the teenagers in our lives. Unfortunately, there are times when teens may...

03.19.2024

Looksmaxxing + Zyn + Low Self-Esteem | Ep. 151

. . In this episode, we mentioned the following resources: - The Guardian: From bone smashing to chin extensions: how ‘looksmaxxing’ is reshaping young men’s faces - TikTok: Mewing - VeryWell Health: What Is Mewing and Can It Reshape My Face? - Mogwarts - Give to Teen...

03.12.2024

15 Reasons to Love Teens | Ep. 150

Celebrating 150 Episodes with 15 Reasons to Love Teens! We believe that teens are amazing for who they are becoming, but also for who they are right now! To celebrate our 150th episode, we wanted to take a minute to remember some...

03.05.2024

Spring Break Ideas + Teen Addictions | Ep. 149

. . In this episode, we mentioned the following resources: - Next Gen Now Podcast: Controlled (Addiction Series) - Merriam-Webster: Addiction Definition - NPR: Too much pleasure can lead to addiction. How to break the cycle and find balance - Teen Life Podcast: Athletics | Gaming...

02.27.2024

Friendship Anxiety + Teen Movies | Ep. 148

Friendship Anxiety: A Guide for Teens and Parents It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to fit in and maintain a wide circle of friends. And let’s be honest, social media instills us all with FOMO. After all, it seems...

02.20.2024

Fanfiction + School Absence | Ep. 147

Why are teens missing so much school? In recent years, chronic absenteeism among students has become a pressing concern, especially with its stark rise since the onset of the pandemic. Defined as missing at least 10% of school days, this issue...

02.13.2024

Palworld + Teen Dating Advice | Ep. 146

What advice would you give your teenage self about dating? Despite vast changes in the romantic landscape, the emotional high of teen romance is universal. If anything, it’s amplified by being constantly connected, a heightened sense of vigilance, and a lack...

02.06.2024

Valentine's Gift and Date Ideas + Learning an Instrument | Ep. 145

Valentine's Day Date and Gift Ideas for Teenagers. The pressure is on for Valentine's Day, especially when you are a teen and are newly dating. In this episode, we discuss some fun, inexpensive date ideas that focus on having a good...

01.30.2024

Teens Turning 18 + Dungeons and Dragons | Ep. 144

What you should know about parental rights and teen responsibilities when your teen turns 18. When teens turn 18, it is cause for celebration! Parents and teens alike can pat themselves on the back for having made it to this point! This...

01.23.2024

Teen Responsiveness + Cell Phone Boundaries | Ep. 143

How do I set healthy cell phone boundaries with my teen? In the digital age, cell phones have become an integral part of our daily lives, especially for teenagers. They serve as a means of communication, entertainment, and learning. However, as teachers...

01.16.2024

Talkative Teens + Ahead App + Blind Boxes | Ep. 142

Navigating Talkative Teens in Group Settings Dealing with talkative teens in a group or class setting can be challenging, but understanding the reasons behind their behavior and implementing effective strategies can create a positive and inclusive environment for everyone involved. Join us...

01.09.2024

Teens Fighting in School + Twitch Update + Connection | Ep. 141

What's the deal with kids fighting at school and how can we help? Fighting at school causes problems for students, teachers, and the parents of those involved. It's easy to write some kids off as "trouble," but in our experience, the...

01.02.2024

2023 Recap + Seasonal Depression + Teens on Mission | Ep. 140

Teens with a mission are teens with a purpose. Listen for tips on helping teensfind meaningful ways to spend their time, help their community, and improve their mental health. We also talk about seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD. If less...

12.26.2023

Revisiting Teen Pregnancy with Jade + Heather | Ep. 139

In this episode from 2016, Heather and Jade join the podcast to talk about their stories both separately and as they intertwine. As a young teen mom, Jade looked to Heather for support and encouragement. With her oldest son now...

12.19.2023

2023 Teen Life Christmas Party | Ep. 138

Join us for a jolly good time talking about Christmas traditions, gifts, and Santa for teens. Chris is back for a special Christmas episode where the gang tells about their own Christmas traditions, how they manage gifts and expectations, and more. Be...

12.12.2023

Traveling with Teens + Family Dynamics | Ep. 137

Navigating the winter break presents distinctive challenges, particularly when teenagers are part of the equation. Questions arise, from managing constant adolescent hunger pangs to handling complex family dynamics. In episode 137 of the Teen Life Podcast, we delve into effortless strategies...

12.05.2023

Lapse + Meta Lawsuit + Teacher Burnout + Advent | Ep. 136

As winter break approaches, teachers, parents, and students all struggle to finish the semester strong. Kids are crazy. Tired teachers struggle to get all the grades in and contain classrooms of tired, excitable students. It gets dark earlier. How can...

11.28.2023

2023 Teen Christmas Gift Guide | Ep. 135

. . In this episode, we mentioned the following resources: - Amazon Wish List - Teen Life Merch Store (closes 11/30 at midnight) - Homage - Teen Life Podcast: Top Teen Things | 2022 Gift Guide | 2021 Gift Guide . . Visit our website: www.teenlifepodcast.com Subscribe to...

11.21.2023

Thanksgiving Foods + Traditions + The Importance of Family Meals | Ep. 134

Families eating together are a powerful antidote to insecurity, unhealthy diets, and disconnection. In this week's episode, we offer tips for making the magic happen. We’ll also share Thanksgiving traditions and foods that the whole family will love! . . In this episode,...

11.14.2023

Snapchat + Teen Hairstyles + First Cell Phone Advice | Ep. 133

Are you ready for your child's first cell phone? What's the best way to approach your child's first phone? Get tips for deciding when your teen is ready for a smartphone. We'll also look at what to talk about before giving...

11.07.2023

Digital SAT + Adderall Shortage + Talking about Violence with Teens | Ep. 132

How do I talk about violence and political issues with teens? Talking about violence and political issues with our teenagers can be challenging. If your child (or one of their friends) has a cell phone they are inevitably exposed to a...

10.31.2023

Olivia Rodrigo + NPC Streams + Finding Trusted Adults | Ep. 131

One trusted adult in a teen's life can make all the difference. But what makes a trusted adult and how can we connect teens with them? We take a look at qualities to look for and give specific examples of...

10.24.2023

Lunch Delivery at School + TikTok Shop + 2023 Fall Preview | Ep. 130

Most parents went to school when the options were to pack your lunch or buy it from the school cafeteria. It’s safe to say that times have changed. Today, many schools are managing a different kind of lunch crowd where...

10.17.2023

Teen Back Talk + Halloween Ideas + Sport Watching Trends | Ep. 129

Facing the resistance of the teenage spirit can be an uphill battle without the right perspective. In episode 129 of the Teen Life Podcast, we look at ways to change the way we look at teen back talk so that...

10.10.2023

Girl Math + Spicy Chip Challenge + RushTok + Body Image | Ep. 128

As parents, educators, and caregivers, it’s hard to keep up with the ever-changing trends and challenges that teenagers face. In episode 128, we explain some of the most prevalent teen trends, from “Girl Math” to the “Spicy Chip Challenge” to...

10.03.2023

Sibling Dynamics + Drive Thru Challenge + The Eras Tour | Ep. 127

Meet Karlie's new co-hosts and discover the new podcast format! We're excited for the big reveal, and we know you will be, too. This week, we delve into the world of sibling dynamics to explore how these relationships evolve over time...

09.26.2023

Episode 126: Teen Support Groups & The X App

This week on the podcast, we give a behind the scenes look at the incredible impact of support groups. Join us as we explore what makes these groups so effective, why they matter, and how you can make a difference...

09.19.2023

Episode 125: Screen Apnea & Summer Recap 2023

. . In this episode, we mentioned the following resources: - New York Times: Checking Email? You’re Probably Not Breathing. - Partner with Teen Life for North Texas Giving Day! - Teen Life Podcast: Breathing Techniques | Diverse Families Series | Summer Superlatives...

09.12.2023

Episode 124: Connecting with Students & Spicy Books

In the fast-paced world of education, it’s essential to recognize the impact of connecting with students on their academic performance and overall well-being. Fostering strong connections with students can lead to better attendance, better motivation, and more positive outcomes in...

09.05.2023

Episode 123: School Partnerships & Fantasy Football

As a parent, it can be easy to let our past relationship with school as a student or as a parent of an older child color our current relationship with school. If we’ve had great experiences before, it’s a lot...

08.29.2023

Episode 122: Diverse Families - Blended Families

What’s it like blending families with teenagers? Creating a blended families with teenagers, or kids of any age, is not for the faint of heart. And yet, many parents are blending families with teens, co-parents, step-parents, and all kids of siblings....

08.22.2023

Episode 121: Diverse Families - Single Parents

Dive into the world of single parenting with Lori Wei. Lori found herself a single parent at 22. She raised her daughter alone for 13 years before remarrying. In that time, she discovered the power of community, self reliance and teachability. Be...

08.15.2023

Episode 120: Diverse Families - Special Needs

How can we support families with special needs? Join Chris and Tobin in a special conversation on how to support families with special needs. As part of the Diverse Families series, they are joined by Donna Crose, Tobin’s mom, and mother...

08.08.2023

Episode 119: Diverse Families - Multi-Racial/Multi-Cultural

How can we support multiracial and multi-cultural families? Chris Robey interviews Tquan and Leahanna Moore about their experience as a multiracial/multi-cultural family. They discuss what it means to be multi-cultural and how they’ve approached blending cultures in their own home. You’ll also...

08.01.2023

Episode 118: Diverse Families - Foster and Adoption

In the first of a short series on diversity in types of family structures, Tobin Hodges interviews foster mom Danielle Bogart. Danielle shares her experience as a foster parent and offers insight into how caring adults can support kids and families...

07.25.2023

Episode 117: Shyness

When should you start to worry about shyness? Join Tobin Hodges as he outlines reasons why teens might seem shy. He offers real life examples and ways you can approach social awkwardness, shyness, and personal boundaries when talking with teenagers. . . In...

07.18.2023

Episode 116: Drama

Teenage drama can be exhausting for parents, teachers, and teens alike. So how can caring adults acknowledge teenagers’ BIG emotions without feeding the drama cycle? Join Karlie Duke as she talks about ways to guide kids through emotional regulation, social...

07.11.2023

Episode 115: Anger

Being a teenager is like riding an emotional rollercoaster, and it’s easy to come across as an “angry teen”. Chris dives into why this stereotype isn’t entirely wrong, but it isn’t right either. Listen for background information on why your teen...

07.04.2023

Episode 114: Sneaking

When teens start sneaking around to get what they want or need, it can be tempting to freak out and “lay down the law.” Tobin offers a different perspective on what might be behind sneaky behavior and how to talk...

06.27.2023

Episode 113: Gossip

Gossip affects all age groups, but for teenagers it can be especially harmful. Between whispers in the hallways, text messages, social media, and other media, gossip is a particularly difficult terrain for teens to navigate. Karlie Duke talks about why...

06.20.2023

Episode 112: Lying

Lying feels personal, but what if it’s not? In fact, 98% of teenagers worldwide lie to their parents. That’s not a typo. Ninety-eight percent.So, the bad news is that your teen is probably lying to you. But the good news...

06.13.2023

Episode 111: Laziness

It’s easy to buy into the stereotype that teens are lazy. After all, sleeping late and not wanting to do homework are pretty typical teen behaviors. But is laziness the real reason behind them? Tobin Hodges takes on teen laziness and...

06.06.2023

Episode 110: Perfectionism

Perfectionism can have a negative impact on a teenager’s mental health if left unchecked. In episode 110, Karlie talks about ways to identify perfectionist behavior, what to say and how to help teens channel perfectionist tendencies for the best. . . In this...

05.30.2023

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