Some days feel heavier than others. Whether it’s a personal heartbreak or a tragedy in the news, the weight of the world can be a lot to carry. And if you’re someone who feels deeply, it’s not always clear how to keep moving forward. 

In this episode, Leslie Randolph offers a thoughtful perspective on what it means to live with sadness, anger, and grief without letting them take over. She shares how self-confidence plays a role even in the hardest moments, not as a way to power through or shut emotions down, but as the quiet willingness to feel it all. What if confidence isn’t about being fearless or upbeat, but about staying present when things are messy? What happens when we let go of the idea that we’re supposed to be happy all the time?

Leslie invites us to stop “shoulding” ourselves into silence or shame. There’s no timeline for healing and no perfect way to process pain. Whether you’re a teenager building confidence for the first time or a grown woman learning how to trust yourself again, this episode will meet you where you are with compassion, clarity, and a few tools to help you keep going.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Why We Need Tools for the Hard Days

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At every age and stage, we long to belong. But too often, that desire comes at the cost of abandoning parts of ourselves. True friendship isn’t about fitting in - it’s about finding your people: the ones you like, and the ones you feel good being around.

Leslie Randolph is joined by friendship expert and advice columnist Nina Badzin for a conversation about friendship and friend groups, especially during the tween and teen years. But the truths they explore reach well beyond middle school. How do we recognize a real friend versus someone we’re just trying to impress? Why do so many of us stay in groups that drain us? And how can we help kids build friendships that reflect who they are, not who they think they’re supposed to be?

Nina shares what she’s learned from years of listening to people wrestle with connection, exclusion, and the pressure to belong. Together, Leslie and Nine unpack the difference between fitting in and finding true friendship, the quiet harm of chasing the “right” group, and the role adults play, often unintentionally, in keeping those patterns alive. They also talk about the value of community and how spaces like family dinners, extracurriculars, and youth groups can offer kids a sense of belonging that isn’t dependent on social status.

This episode is a gentle reminder that strong friendships aren’t built on proximity or history alone. They’re built on trust, emotional safety, and mutual effort. And that’s true at any age.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Friendship and Confidence

03:04 Meet Nina Badzin: Friendship Columnist and Expert

05:00 The Myth of the Perfect Friend Group

08:09 Fitting In vs. Authentic Friendship

11:12 How Parents Shape Social Pressure

15:04 What Makes a Friendship Real

20:10 Trust, Safety, and Showing Up as Yourself

24:05 Building Social Confidence Through Multiple Buckets

28:02 Where to Find Belonging Beyond School

30:12 Friendship vs. Community: Why Both Matter

38:09 Practical Advice for Building Real Friendships

41:00 Letting Go and Moving On with Openness

Connect with Nina Badzin:

See Nina in Highland Park 

Listen to Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship

Subscribe to the Dear Nina newsletter

Join the Facebook Group

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Heading to summer camp? Confidence is the most important thing you can pack. Leslie Randolph speaks directly to girls (and their moms) navigating the nerves that come with starting something new, whether it’s sleepaway camp or a big life transition. Some girls are counting down the days with excitement. Others feel anxious, unsure, or like they’re heading off against their will. All of that is normal, Leslie says, and it’s exactly why building self-confidence matters.

Leslie breaks down how self-confidence isn’t about having zero fear. It’s about moving forward with the fear and choosing how you want to show up anyway. She offers mindset shifts to help girls challenge worst-case-scenario thinking and reframe those “what if” worries. Confidence starts by recognizing that you can’t control who likes you, but you can decide how you show up, how you treat others, and what kind of camper you want to be.

From embracing your interests (even if no one else is into archery!) to staying open to new friendships and new experiences, this episode is a permission slip to be yourself bravely, and without apology. Whether your daughter’s headed to camp, starting high school, or trying something new for the first time, Leslie offers a confidence care package for the road ahead!

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Welcome to Why Didn’t They Tell Us  

01:49 Why Camp Brings Up Big Feelings  

03:45 How to Normalize Nerves and Build Confidence  

05:01 Stop the Spiral: Rethinking Worst-Case Thinking  

08:12 Confidence Starts with Knowing Yourself  

13:24 Be Open to New Things (Even If You’re Bad at First)  

15:12 Confidence Is a Skill, Not a Trait

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Most people wait for a crisis to start living with intention. This episode is your invitation to stop waiting.

After attending a funeral for someone who lived with “no wasted days,” Leslie Randolph reflects on how easily moms can slip into autopilot – checking boxes, managing schedules, and losing sight of their own joy. She shares how the loss of her father during the height of COVID became a turning point, waking her up to the difference between managing life and actually living it.

This episode is a call to trade burnout and disconnection for intentional living. Leslie walks listeners through the first, often overlooked step: self-awareness. She offers strategies to help moms get honest about how they’re feeling, notice what they need, and take small but powerful actions toward a more fulfilling life.

From setting boundaries to rediscovering joy in the everyday, Leslie offers a roadmap for moms who are ready to stop going through the motions and start showing up on purpose for themselves and the people they love.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Living with Intention vs. Autopilot

02:10 Personal Wake-Up Call After Loss

06:58 How Moms Can Start Living More Intentionally

09:51 Responding to Your Needs with Small, Powerful Shifts

12:02 Why Awareness Without Action Doesn’t Work

14:54 Building a Life of Connection and Purpose

Connect With Leslie:

The Summer of Self-Love

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Your daughter’s self-confidence starts with yours because she’s watching more than she’s listening.

If you’re a mom raising teens, especially confident girls, in a world that constantly tells them they’re not enough, I recorded this episode for you. I want to help you see how your words, your actions, and even the way you talk to yourself can shape how your daughter sees herself.

I share what I’ve learned through coaching, parenting, and plenty of personal trial and error. I talk about what it means to go first, to take risks, to feel big feelings, and to let your daughter see all of it. Because what if your willingness to feel fear, embarrassment, or disappointment is exactly what helps her feel brave?

I walk through some of my favorite tools, like how to change the conversation around family photos, how to celebrate your strengths out loud, and how to sit with your daughter’s feelings without jumping in to fix them. I also explain the “powerful pause,” and how it’s helped me regulate my own emotions and model something better in tough moments.

If you’ve ever wondered how to help your daughter grow into a confident, self-assured young woman without pushing or preaching, I hope this episode gives you both the reassurance and the tools to do just that.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Why Moms Matter

01:16 What Teens Are Facing Today

03:04 Why Self-Confidence Starts With You

05:11 Modeling Risk-Taking and Emotional Honesty

06:48 Sharing Big Feelings With Your Kids

10:10 Practicing Positive Self-Talk Out Loud

11:13 Rethinking Body Image and Family Photos

13:35 Helping Teens Feel Without Fixing

17:00 The “Vent or Advice” Question

19:08 The Power of the Pause

21:16 Boosting Your Confidence While Raising Theirs

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When my calendar’s overflowing and I still feel like I’m coming up short, I know it’s time to take a hard look at what self-care actually means in my life. And if you’re a mom who’s feeling burned out, even when you love the people and work you’ve said yes to, you’re not alone.

In this episode, I’m joined by Whitney Baker, the founder of Electric Ideas and a self-connection coach who helps women step out of autopilot and reconnect with themselves. Whitney and I get honest about the messy middle, how hard it is to say no, how burnout sneaks in even when you're living your dream, and why taking care of yourself doesn’t have to mean a total life overhaul.

Whitney shares her journey from creative agency burnout to building a life that actually lights her up. She walks us through tools like energy audits, morning routines, and “right after work” rituals that help her stay grounded and present. These aren’t big, sweeping changes. They’re small, intentional shifts that create real impact.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for needing a break or confused about why you’re still tired after making all the “right” choices, I think you’ll really connect with this conversation. Because here’s the truth: self-care isn’t a luxury. For moms like us, it’s the only way to keep showing up fully, joyfully, and without resentment.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Balance, Burnout, and a Coach’s Confession

02:00 Meet Whitney Baker of Electric Ideas

03:35 What Is an “Electric Idea”?

05:16 Reigniting Your Spark After Burnout

09:16 The Power of Saying No

11:06 Setting Boundaries That Actually Work

13:34 Creating Buffer Time and “Right After Work” Rituals

22:32 Identity Shifts and Letting Go of Old Labels

25:03 Energy Audits and Real-Life Self-Care

30:09 Morning Routines That Support You

34:17 Why Self-Care Isn’t Optional

39:08 Permission to Be Imperfect

Learn: https://myelectricideas.com/

Like: https://www.instagram.com/whitneywoman/?hl=en

Listen: https://myelectricideas.com/podcast/

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Self-confidence isn’t something you wait to earn. It’s a choice you make before there’s any proof you’ll succeed. But I know that choice isn’t always easy.

I used to believe confidence came from accomplishments, but I’ve learned that self-confidence is different. It’s believing in yourself even when you have no evidence to back it up. That belief fuels every risk you take, every dream you chase, and every time you show up for yourself.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll feel confident when…” I want you to challenge that. Self-confidence isn’t built on achievements or outside approval. It’s an inside job. In this episode, I’ll show you how to stop waiting and start believing, because confident teens and confident women don’t wait for permission to trust themselves.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction 

02:55 Definition of Self-Confidence

03:17 What Self-Confidence is Not

03:50 Difference Between Confidence and Self-Confidence

06:00 Self-Confidence and Goal Achievement

06:34 Self-Confidence vs. Arrogance

07:40 Self-Confidence and External Validation

09:05 The “As Soon As” and “Not Enough” Mentality

10:31 Prerequisites for Self-Confidence

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Adulting isn’t something they teach in school, but Heather Redisch is here to help college graduates figure it out.

I see it all the time—young professionals landing their first jobs and feeling completely unprepared. Why does the transition from school to career feel so overwhelming? Heather Redisch, founder of The Talent Maven and creator of the Adulting 101 Masterclass, has spent nearly 25 years in recruiting and has noticed a shift. College graduates today struggle with confidence, communication, and the realities of professional life in ways previous generations didn’t. The rise of smartphones, helicopter parenting, and the impact of COVID-19 have all played a role, leaving many feeling unsure of how to step into the working world.

In this episode, Heather and I dig into what’s missing and what young professionals can do to set themselves up for success. We talk about work ethic, resilience, and the small, uncomfortable steps that build confidence over time. We also get into the generational disconnect in the workplace, why older employees misinterpret the behaviors of younger colleagues and how both sides can bridge that gap.

Success isn’t about having it all figured out on day one. It’s about learning, adapting, and taking action. Heather’s Adulting 101 Masterclass gives college graduates the tools and support they need to step into their careers with confidence.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction 

05:09 Challenges of Transitioning to Adulthood

07:07 The Anxious Generation and Technology

08:02 Helicopter Parenting and Its Effects

10:05 The Role of Confidence in Adulting

11:00 Communication Skills in the Digital Age

13:01 Generational Differences in the Workplace

15:04 Building Resilience and Facing Awkwardness

16:04 Being Comfortable with Uncomfortable

17:09 Misconceptions About Gen Z

18:08 Bridging the Generational Gap

20:22 Skills Can Be Learned: Etiquette and Resilience

21:14 The Role of Mental Health in the Workplace

22:07 Balancing Entitlement and Responsibility

23:08 The Reality of First Jobs

24:06 The Importance of Foundational Skills

26:04 Career Paths Are Not Linear

27:04 Valuable Skills for Graduates

29:10 Practical Tips for Building Confidence

31:10 The Importance of Proactivity

32:28 The Role of Feedback in Growth

33:10 Celebrating Small Wins

34:11 Accepting and Learning from Feedback

35:15 Closing

Connect with Heather Redisch:

Learn More About Adulting 101

Adulting 101 on Instagram

Follow Adulting 101 on Facebook

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Self-love isn’t about spa days or self-indulgence. It’s about the way you speak to yourself, the choices you make, and the belief that you are already worthy.

As a self-confidence coach for teenage girls, I’ve seen how the relationship we have with ourselves influences every part of life. But if self-love is so important, why does it feel so hard? Why does doubt always seem louder? I get it. I’ve been there. That’s why I want to break it down for you. Self-love isn’t a fleeting feeling. It’s a quiet, steady presence that takes effort to recognize and strengthen.

Confidence doesn’t come from achievement. It starts with self-acceptance. What if the voice in your head spoke to you with kindness instead of criticism? What if you believed you were worthy without changing a thing? In this episode, I’ll share how you can shift your mindset, build a habit of self-love, and start treating yourself with the same compassion you give to others. The way you love yourself sets the tone for everything else in life.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

01:05 Self-Love Beyond Valentine’s Day

03:22 Self-Love as a Pillar of Confidence

03:34 Definition of Self-Confidence

04:06 Challenges of Learning Self-Love

05:01 Self-Love vs. Bubble Baths and Massages

05:11 Lessons in Self-Love

06:18 Accepting and Embracing Yourself

07:02 Subtlety of Self-Love

08:07 Self-Love vs. Self-Doubt

09:12 Choosing to Listen to Self-Love

10:04 Fear, Anxiety, and Doubt

11:00 Self-Love as a Choice

12:05 Self-Love and Societal Messages

12:58 Self-Love is Not Weak

14:45 Intention in Self-Love

16:11 Final Thoughts

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Most parents dread “the talk,” but raising confident, informed teens is less about one big conversation and more about a series of open, shame-free discussions.

Dr. Lisa Klein, pediatrician and co-founder of Turning Teen, joins Leslie Randolph to break down what kids really need when it comes to talking about puberty. Is there a right time to start? How do you make it less awkward? What happens if you feel totally unprepared? Dr. Klein shares practical ways to approach these conversations early and often, making sure tweens get accurate, age-appropriate information without fear or shame.

Dr. Klein and Leslie dig into the emotional side of growing up, from body image to social media influences. With so much misinformation online, how can parents become the go-to resource instead? Dr. Klein offers real-world advice to help parents navigate these tricky years with honesty, confidence, and a little humor.

Quotes

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