⚠️Content Warning: This episode includes conversations about teen mental health, self-worth, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Listener discretion is advised. ⚠️

In Part 1 of this conversation, we’re joined by Shabnam, Felicia and Vianney, the Family Support Specialists from Greater San Marcos Youth Council’s FAYS (Family and Youth Success) Program to talk about Mental Health Awareness and the challenges many teens and families face today. We discuss why Mental Health Awareness Month matters, common struggles youth experience, and signs that a teen may be struggling even if they aren’t saying it out loud.

Our guests also share how the FAYS Program supports youth and families by providing guidance, resources, and a safe space for growth and healing. This episode reminds us that recognizing the signs and reaching out for support can make all the difference.

Join GSMYC as we prioritize our mental health this #mentalhealthawarenessmonth with a guided painting experience

Sign up quickly, as space is limited!

Register here: Pause & Paint!

Event Timing: May 27, 2026 5:30-7:30 PM

Event Address: 1402 N Interstate 35, San Marcos, TX 78666

Contact us at (512) 754-0500 or [email protected]

👉 Stay connected with us:

Follow us on social media: @tlspodcast_

Have questions, feedback, or want to share your story?

📧 Email us at [email protected]

💙 Need support or resources? You’re not alone. Help is available:

To report child abuse, you can contact the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) at 1-800-252-5400. This hotline is available 24/7 for reporting suspicions of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children. If your situation is urgent and requires immediate attention, please call 9-1-1. If you SEE something, SAY something.

National Resources

📞 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential treatment and information services.

📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support (24/7).

📱 Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Greater San Marcos Youth Council’s Family and Youth Success Program (FAYS):

Free support and resources for youth ages 6–17 and their families.

📞 (512) 754-0500 | 🌐 gsmyc.org |IG: @gsmyc

⚠️Content Warning: This episode includes conversations about teen mental health, self-worth, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Listener discretion is advised. ⚠️

As we begin May and recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, we sit down with Dr. Isabella Vigil, Behavioral Health Coordinator with the Hays County Health Department, to talk about trauma-informed care, healing, and the power of being truly heard. Together, we explore what it means to support teens through a person-centered approach, why storytelling and pláticas can be such powerful tools for healing, and how community plays a vital role in mental health. Dr. Vigil shares insight on how friends, families, schools, and communities can create safer spaces where young people feel supported, understood, and empowered to use their voices.

Laura, GSMYC’s Community Relations Coordinator, also joins us to share insight on the importance of Mental Health Awareness Month, join us by wearing green on May 14th!

Join GSMYC as we prioritize our mental health this #mentalhealthawarenessmonth with a guided painting experience

Sign up quickly, as space is limited!

Register here: Pause & Paint!

Event Timing: May 27, 2026 5:30-7:30 PM

Event Address: 1402 N Interstate 35, San Marcos, TX 78666

Contact us at (512) 754-0500 or [email protected]

👉 Stay connected with us:

Follow us on social media: @tlspodcast_

Have questions, feedback, or want to share your story email us at [email protected]

Need support or resources? You’re not alone. Help is available:

National Resources

📞 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential treatment and information services.

📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support (24/7).

📱 Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Greater San Marcos Youth Council’s Family and Youth Success Program (FAYS):

Free support and resources for youth ages 6–17 and their families.

📞 (512) 754-0500 | 🌐 gsmyc.org |IG: @gsmyc

⚠️Content Warning: This episode includes conversations about teen mental health, self-worth, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Listener discretion is advised. ⚠️

As we step into May and recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, we sit down with Cristal Lopez, Youth Services Director with Community Action Inc. to talk all things mental health, leadership, and the power of youth voice. Together, we explore what teens are really experiencing today—from the pressures they face to what they wish adults better understood about their mental health.

We also take a closer look at the impact of youth leadership through initiatives like Youth Task Forces, Coalitions, and youth-led spaces that are creating real change in our communities. From organizing conferences and wellness events to amplifying youth voices through platforms like podcasts, this conversation highlights how young people are not just the future—they are the now.

Our guest shares insight on breaking stigma, building supportive communities, and how teens can step into leadership. This episode is a reminder that every young person’s voice matters and that connection, understanding, and opportunity can make all the difference.

Laura, GSMYC’s Community Relations Coordinator, also joins us to share insight on the importance of Mental Health Awareness Month and she also gives us a preview of an upcoming painting event designed to encourage self-expression and connection through art.

🎤 Join us at Vibrant Visions Mental Health & Wellness Fest!

For The Teen Life Soundtrack Podcast Panel from 7:30–8:15 PM, alongside a full evening including a resource fair and youth art recognition. Link here for Event info: https://sites.google.com/view/vibrantvisionssmtx?usp=sharing

🗓 May 7, 2026

6pm-8:30pm

📍 The Village of San Marcos

215 S. Reimer Ave, San Marcos, TX 78666

Youth Task Force Instagram

🎨 Youth Art Exhibit Opportunity (Ages 13–24, Hays County):

Submit your original artwork or written piece exploring. Link here for guidelines and submission: https://sites.google.com/view/vibrantvisionssmtx/art-submission-guidelines

🗓 Submission deadline: April 30, 2026 (limited space, first come first serve)

📍 Art drop-off: The Village of San Marcos by May 6, 5 PM

✨ Whether you’re a teen, educator, or community member, this conversation—and this event—are all about uplifting youth voices, creativity, and mental wellness.

👉 Stay connected with us:

Follow us on social media: @tlspodcast_

Have questions, feedback, or want to share your story?

📧 Email us at [email protected]

💙 Need support or resources? You’re not alone. Help is available:

To report child abuse, you can contact the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) at 1-800-252-5400. This hotline is available 24/7 for reporting suspicions of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children. If your situation is urgent and requires immediate attention, please call 9-1-1. If you SEE something, SAY something.

National Resources

📞 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential treatment and information services.

📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support (24/7).

📱 Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Greater San Marcos Youth Council’s Family and Youth Success Program (FAYS):

Free support and resources for youth ages 6–17 and their families.

📞 (512) 754-0500 | 🌐 gsmyc.org |IG: @gsmyc

⚠️Content Warning: This episode includes conversations about teen mental health, self-worth, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Listener discretion is advised. ⚠️

In Part 3 of our parent-relationship series, we’re taking a step back and shifting our perspective 🎙️💙

We’ve talked about what it’s like being a teen and navigating relationships with parents—but today, we’re exploring something just as important: remembering that our parents are human too. They were once teens, they’ve made mistakes, and they experience emotions just like we do.

This conversation creates space for empathy, understanding, and growth on both sides.

In this episode, GSMYC’s Family Support Specialist, Shabnam Ejaz, shares insight on the fifth and final protective factor in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month: Social & Emotional Learning of Children—highlighting how helping youth understand emotions, build healthy relationships, and develop communication skills strengthens families and supports overall well-being.

🎧Tune in as we continue building connection, strengthening understanding, and creating space for real conversations.

👉 Stay connected with us:

Follow us on social media: @tlspodcast_

Have questions, feedback, or want to share your story?

📧 Email us at [email protected]

💙 Need support or resources? You’re not alone. Help is available:

To report child abuse, you can contact the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) at 1-800-252-5400. This hotline is available 24/7 for reporting suspicions of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children. If your situation is urgent and requires immediate attention, please call 9-1-1. If you SEE something, SAY something.

National Resources

📞 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential treatment and information services.

📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support (24/7).

📱 Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Greater San Marcos Youth Council’s Family and Youth Success Program (FAYS):

Free support and resources for youth ages 6–17 and their families.

📞 (512) 754-0500 | 🌐 gsmyc.org | IG: @gsmyc

⚠️Content Warning: This episode includes conversations about child abuse and neglect, self-worth, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Listener discretion is advised.

April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, this conversation creates space to bring attention to an issue that deeply impacts young people. This is a real issue, and it needs to be spoken about. Every child deserves a safe, supportive childhood filled with love, care, and protection. 💙

We finish up our conversation with Vianey and Danielle in Part 2 as they share insight into the role of the Children’s Shelter, the support systems available, and how the community can come together to make a difference.

In this episode, our Associate Director, Victoria and Lead Family Support Specialist Lizzy, also introduce Protective Factors 3 and 4, breaking down what they are and why they are so important in building strong, resilient families.

👉 Stay connected with us:

Follow us on social media: @tlspodcast_

Have questions, feedback, or want to share your story?

📧 Email us at [email protected]

💙 Need support or resources? You’re not alone. Help is available:

To report child abuse, you can contact the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) at 1-800-252-5400. This hotline is available 24/7 for reporting suspicions of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children. If your situation is urgent and requires immediate attention, please call 9-1-1. If you SEE something, SAY something.

To learn more about Recognizing the signs of child abuse, click here.

National Resources

📞 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential treatment and information services.

📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support (24/7).

📱 Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Greater San Marcos Youth Council’s Family and Youth Success Program (FAYS):

Free support and resources for youth ages 6–17 and their families.

📞 (512) 754-0500 | 🌐 gsmyc.org | IG: @gsmyc

⚠️Content Warning: This episode includes conversations about child abuse and neglect, self-worth, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Listener discretion is advised. ⚠️

In this special episode, we are joined by Vianey and Danielle from the Greater San Marcos Youth Council’s Children’s Shelter to talk about the important work they do to support and protect youth in our community.

As April marks the beginning of Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, this conversation creates space to bring attention to an issue that deeply impacts young people. This is a real issue, and it needs to be spoken about. Every child deserves a safe, supportive childhood filled with love, care, and protection.

Our guests share insight into the role of the Children’s Shelter, the support systems available, and how the community can come together to make a difference.

In this episode, our Family Support Specialists, Vianney and Felicia, also introduce Protective Factors 1 and 2, breaking down what they are and why they are so important in building strong, resilient families.

This is Part 1 of the discussion, where we begin to raise awareness, highlight resources, and start meaningful conversations around prevention and support.

👉 Stay connected with us:

Follow us on social media: @tlspodcast_

Have questions, feedback, or want to share your story?

📧 Email us at [email protected]

💙 Need support or resources? You’re not alone. Help is available:

To report child abuse, you can contact the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) at 1-800-252-5400. This hotline is available 24/7 for reporting suspicions of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children. If your situation is urgent and requires immediate attention, please call 9-1-1. If you SEE something, SAY something.

To learn more about Recognizing the signs of child abuse, click here.

National Resources

📞 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential treatment and information services.

📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support (24/7).

📱 Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Greater San Marcos Youth Council’s Family and Youth Success Program (FAYS):

Free support and resources for youth ages 6–17 and their families.

📞 (512) 754-0500 | 🌐 gsmyc.org | IG: @gsmyc

⚠️Content Warning: This episode includes conversations about teen mental health, self-worth, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Listener discretion is advised. ⚠️

In Part 2 of this conversation, we continue to explore our relationships with our parents by shifting perspective and acknowledging an important truth—parenting is tough.

In this episode, we talk about what it looks like to meet our parents halfway. We also dive into different parenting styles, the challenges of navigating double standards, and why “connection before correction” can make a meaningful difference in building trust and communication.

This conversation is about growth on both sides—learning to see things from each other’s point of view while working toward stronger, healthier relationships.

As we head into April, Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, Nic, GSMYC's Marketing & Communications Coordinator, shares important information to help raise awareness and encourage ongoing, meaningful conversations around this topic.

This episode focuses on perspective and strengthening family connections.

👉 Stay connected with us:

Follow us on social media: @tlspodcast_

Have questions, feedback, or want to share your story?

📧 Email us at [email protected]

💙 Need support or resources? You’re not alone. Help is available:

National Resources

📞 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential treatment and information services.

📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support (24/7).

📱 Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Greater San Marcos Youth Council’s Family and Youth Success Program (FAYS):

Free support and resources for youth ages 6–17 and their families.

📞 (512) 754-0500 | 🌐 gsmyc.org | IG: @gsmyc

⚠️Content Warning: This episode includes conversations about teen mental health, self-worth, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Listener discretion is advised. ⚠️

In this episode, we dive into a real and honest conversation about our relationships with our parents. We share our personal experiences—the good moments, the challenges, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. This is a touchy subject, but we approach it with respect, understanding, and openness.

We talk about the mistakes we’ve made, how we’ve contributed to losing our parents’ trust at times, and what it looks like to take accountability and grow from those experiences. This conversation is all about recognizing that while relationships can be complicated, there is always room for growth, healing, and strengthening those bonds.

Because there was so much to unpack, this is Part 1 of the conversation.

We also begin to open the door to an important topic as we head into April, Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. Nic, GSMYC's Marketing & Communications Coordinator, shares insight to help raise awareness and encourage meaningful conversations around this issue. DFPS - Social Media Toolkit: Child Abuse Prevention

This episode is about honesty, reflection, and taking steps toward better understanding ourselves and our relationships.

👉 Stay connected with us:

Follow us on social media: @tlspodcast_

Have questions, feedback, or want to share your story?

📧 Email us at [email protected]

💙 Need support or resources? You’re not alone. Help is available:

National Resources

📞 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential treatment and information services.

📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support (24/7).

📱 Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Greater San Marcos Youth Council’s Family and Youth Success Program (FAYS):

Free support and resources for youth ages 6–17 and their families.

📞 (512) 754-0500 | 🌐 gsmyc.org | IG: @gsmyc

This episode is a Valentine’s Special, and the whole crew is back asking the ultimate question: Who’s Your Valentine? 💘

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes conversations about teen mental health, self-worth, relationships, peer pressure, and emotional wellbeing. Listener discretion is advised. ⚠️

Whether your Valentine is your best friend, your boyfriend/girlfriend, your family, or yourself — this conversation is about what it means and looks like for us.

👉 Stay connected with us:

Follow us on social media: @tlspodcast_

Have questions, feedback, or want to share your story?

📧 Email us at [email protected]

💙 Need support or resources? You’re not alone. Help is available:

National Resources

📞 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential treatment and information services.

📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support (24/7).

📱 Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Greater San Marcos Youth Council’s Family and Youth Success Program (FAYS):

Free support and resources for youth ages 6–17 and their families.

📞 (512) 754-0500 | 🌐 gsmyc.org | IG: @gsmyc

💬 Healthy love starts with healthy conversations. Every feeling is valid. It’s always okay to ask questions, set boundaries, and reach out for help.

You deserve love — from others and from yourself. 💗

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes conversations about teen mental health, hormones, PMS, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Listener discretion is advised.⚠️

This episode, is for the GIRLS!!!! We’re diving into all things teen girls — from friendships and relationships to hormones, PMS, mood swings, and the emotional ups and downs that come with growing up.

In this episode we talk about normalizing the experience, breaking the stigma, and reminding teen girls — and the people who love them — that support and understanding matter.

💬 Join the conversation as we encourage openness, empathy, and self-compassion during one of the most confusing (and powerful) seasons of life.

👉 Stay connected with us!

Follow us on social media: @tlspodcast_

Have questions, feedback, or want to share your story?

📧 Email us at [email protected]

💙 Need support or resources? You’re not alone. Help is available:

National Resources

SAMHSA National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential treatment and information services.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support (24/7)

Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

GSMYC’s Family and Youth Success Program (FAYS):

Free support and resources for youth ages 6–17 and their families.

📞 (512) 754-0500 | 🌐 gsmyc.org | IG: @gsmyc

💬 Making healthy choices starts with staying informed — and every feeling is valid. It’s always okay to ask questions, set boundaries, and reach out for help. 💪💙