Embers

In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, our teen hosts wanted to interview a group of people who have a tremendous impact on young people. Teachers. As we all know, teachers play a pivotal role in helping kids know they matter and empowering them to grow in all kinds of ways. What a gift to talk with three local teachers as they shared their experiences - and their feelings  - in supporting students. We left the episode feeling equal parts gratitude and hope.

We took the show on the road this month and featured youth from all over who were attending the New England Youth Identity Summit (which Valo is lucky to be a partner in hosting). We loved hearing their insightful, unique, and even humorous perspectives as they reflected on their past and looked toward their (bright!) futures. We think their voices will enlighten you, as they did us.

We turned the tables this month and invited a few Valo parents to be our guests. Each shined light as they showed up fully for a brave conversation about parenting. Their candor was refreshing as they shared their personal journeys as parents. From how they connect with their children to parts they wish they could do over to how well they know their children, these parents reflected the best in our ways of being. They were curious, open, and vulnerable - and for that we are incredibly grateful.

love is where it's at

Teens are keenly aware of the often unspoken but clearly felt expectation to be perfect. This can look as different as each individual youth, but one thread is clearly woven in - the inevitable pressure to strive toward perfection. In this episode, our teens talk with one another about how they choose to engage in this social phenomenon, and - for a bit - explore what it might feel like to lean into the opposite of it: imperfection.

Young Voices Shed Light on Connection by Valo

Youth Speak Their Truths about Mental Health by Valo

(Unplugged): Teens Tell All by Valo

We were fortunate to have a chance to sit down and hear from a group of male high school soccer players who had recently participated in a Valo program during their pre-season training. The perspectives they shared about vulnerability, connection, being unplugged, and what it means to support their teammates on and off the field left us filled with hope. Maybe it will do the same for you….

We are beyond excited to have New York Times best selling author and Maine resident, Lily King on this month's Embers Episode. Come give a listen as Lily shares her perspectives about the creative process, mental health, as well as recent favorite reads. Photo Credit: Winky Lewis

In this episode, we have decided to take a bit of a different approach. Instead of our usual interview and interviewee format, in this episode you will hear many voices and many perspectives. We asked Valo alumni of different ages to share advice they would give a young person about tending to their mental health and emotional wellbeing. We hope you find the collection of voices enlightening. We appreciated hearing the wide range of experiences, ideas, and insights that Valo alumni use and embody, even as they transition into adulthood. It gives us hope as we continue to consider ways we can all tend to our own wellbeing, and support others as well.

With the start of Pride Month, we at Valo are excited to share a very special episode with all of you. This month our hosts engaged in conversation with Gia Drew, who serves as the Executive Director of EqualityMaine. Listen to Gia talk about her experiences as the first out transgender public school teacher in Maine, one of the only transgender athletic coaches in the country, and her role at the oldest and largest organization dedicated to creating a fair and just society for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Mainers.

For the May edition of Embers, we are elated to be joined by two amazing athletes and Mainers, Eavan O'Neill and Skyler Samuelson Espinoza. In 2020 Eavan was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Stargardt's Disease that causes vision loss. Following her diagnosis and the onset of the pandemic, Eavan took to the outdoors by running, which soon grew into a passion. A year later, Eavan ran the Maine Marathon, raising money for research to find treatment for genetic eye diseases, and her passion for long distances continues. Though initially a collegiate rower, Skyler found herself as a “pilot” on the United States' Paralympic Cycling team, following her success as an individual cyclist. As an athlete with unimpaired vision, Skyler teams up with a visually impaired athlete to race in tandem.

Earlier this month our Embers podcast hosts, Levi and Lyla, led a workshop at the New England Youth Identity Summit showing other teens the power of podcasting. The usual hosts took a backseat in this month's edition and allowed the workshop's participants to engage in a meaningful conversation which was recorded and compiled into the most recent episode. Give it a listen to get a glimpse into the power of youth podcasting and teens' capacity to guide and be a part of meaningful conversations.

This month, the Valo teens sat down for a conversation with Bowdoin student, writer, and New England Youth Identity Summit keynote speaker, Weatherspoon. Together they discussed the role of art and expression in emotional wellbeing. Tune in to hear from this inspiring author!

This month, the Valo teens sat down for a conversation with marathon runner and Olympic gold medalist, Joan Benoit Samuelson, along with Maine Girls' Cross Country Runner of the Year, Ruth White. Together they discussed the role that movement, community, and sports can play in our emotional wellbeing. Tune in to listen to this inspiring episode!

In the latest episode of our podcast, Embers, the Valo teens sat down with author and environmental activist, Rick Bass, for a conversation on the role that young people play in climate activism. Together they explored climate anxiety, the importance of empowering youth, and the energy that comes from focusing on what stirs your heart. You won't want to miss this episode!

The core of our program's work is creating meaningful connection through conversations. Any time we have a chance to partner with a nonprofit and talk, all the better. In this month's episode of our podcast, Embers, we sat down with our friends at Maine Boys to Men. Together, we had an important conversation about male vulnerability and explored the impact it has on emotional wellbeing and the way it influences society.

This month, the Valo teens sat down for a conversation with three folks from NAMI Maine who are a part of the NAMI Teen & YA Help Line. Together they discussed the importance of peer support and ways that young people and adults can help those youth who are struggling with their mental health. Whether you are a teen looking for support, or an adult hoping to learn more about resources to benefit the young people in your life, you won't want to miss this episode. Details on the NAMI Teen Text Support Line: NAMI Maine's Teen Text Support Line is a free, confidential resource for youth from 13-23 years of age. Staffed by trained support specialists 18-24 years old. Text at (207) 515-8398 from 2pm – 10pm EST Please Note: The Teen Text Support Line is not a crisis line. In addition, the Teen Text Support Line cannot support users with international phone numbers.

This month, Valo teens connected with a youth ambassador at the Yellow Tulip Project! Together they had an insightful conversation about their organizations, youth mental health, and how adults can support them. You won't want to miss this episode!

In this episode, Valo teens Levi and Lyla explore the impact of social media on the lives of young people. In the episode, they field parent questions about Snap Maps to screen time boundaries - and everything in between. Those with youth in their lives won't want to miss this candid and insightful conversation!

This month, the Valo teens share reflections of their experience at the TD Beach to Beacon 10K, and the impression that it left on them. They also had the chance to sit down with Valo's Executive Director, Dana Anderson, and to hear her talk about how it felt to be the beneficiary, a decade since Valo's very first retreat.  Finally, they all shared their optimism about the ways the TD Beach to Beacon 10K fundraising and exposure will help Valo reach more young people across the state. Curious about what they had to say? Come along!

This month, the Valo teens sat down to ask each other questions from our teen conversation prompt deck (Curious? You can grab a digital copy here: https://shorturl.at/mDG25 We have been using these prompts as a way to keep the conversation going outside of Valo retreats. They're great to bring to dinner, while traveling, or heading out for a walk! Curious about what questions they asked and what they had to say? Come along!

As we dive into summer, our teens sat down to have a conversation about their daily habits connected to exercise, sleep, and nutrition. They talk about setting rhythms to support their emotional wellbeing. Curious about what they had to say—and what we might learn from them? Come along!

In honor of raising awareness and reducing the stigma, the Valo teens share a bit about how they support the mental health of their friends and loved ones. What they share is potent and can help us reflect on how we can all care for those in our circles. Curious about what they had to say? Come along!

In this month's episode, the Valo teens share a bit about their experiences at the New England Youth Identity Summit, including what inspired them following their enlightening day. Come along!

This month on the embers podcast, the Valo teens shared about their wellbeing and described ways that Valo supports their emotional health. Curious about what they had to say? Come along!

In this episode of embers, Valo teens share their views of climate change and actions they are taking to do their part. They also describe how they stay hopeful amidst the crisis. Together, they explore what they find challenging and where they find light in the darkness. Curious about what they had to say? Come along!

In this episode of embers, Valo teens share their thoughts on new year's resolutions. Together, they consider how resolutions can feel both empowering and challenging. They also reflect on the impact of intentionally shifting our routines to benefit emotional wellbeing. Curious about what they had to say? Come along!

In this episode of embers, the Valo teens talk about what it looks like to be yourself–spaces where they feel they can show up as themselves, and other situations where it's harder to. The perspectives they shared left us reflective and hopeful for the ways that we can help everyone to feel seen and heard. Curious about what they had to say? Come along!

In this episode of embers, the Valo teens talk about social media and the ways it influences their lives, including body image, relationships, and their overall sense of mattering. The perspectives they shared left us reflective and optimistic, as we look to this generation to lead the way in how we cultivate intentionality within our digital lives. Curious about what they had to say? Come along!

our relationship with our phones by Valo

In this episode of embers, the valo teens share their perspectives about mental wellbeing. In their conversation, they explore the many layers of mental health and the various avenues to support their own and others' emotional wellness. Their thoughts and ideas left us feeling ready to continue to engage youth in conversations about this important topic. Curious? Come along!

In this episode of embers, the teens dove into the topic of social media and how it feels to push pause. Through their conversation, these insightful teens uncover some of the benefits of having digital connection available at our fingertips, but also (and more enlightening to us!) how boundaries can help us feel refreshed. What they said left us feeling intrigued and optimistic. Curious? Come along!

In this episode of embers, our teens discussed the topic of friendship between people of different genders. Together, they explored what can make those friendships difficult as well as rewarding. They also shared their hopes for ways society can support these relationships, and how we all might shift to become less judgmental. What they said left us feeling lifted and optimistic. Curious? Come along!

In this episode of embers, our teens dove into the topic of perfectionism...together they explored why so many teens feel the need to be "perfect" and the impact that can have on mental health. What they shared left us curious and hopeful... Wanna hear what they had to say? Come along!

In this episode of embers, we're giving you a glimpse into our new book, valo: lighting a pathway to teen connection, launching on May 5th. After the valo teens read a short passage from the chapter, Gather Round: Two Ears, One Mouth, they each share how it lands with them...curious about what they had to say? Come along!

In this episode of embers, we asked two of our alumni to consider the idea of friendships and how they've helped shape their lives. They spoke about the importance of quality time, the many roles a friend can play, and what it looks and feels like to be—and have— a good friend. What they shared left us inspired to consider the simple ways that friendships can impact us and our circles. Wondering about what they had to say? Come along!

In this special episode of embers, we asked two of our alumni to answer the question: "what does love look like?" They talked about how the meaning of love can change, described ways we can show others that we care, and shared their own stories of love. Their conversation left us hopeful and energized by the power we all hold to make a difference in another's life. Curious about what they had to say? Come along!

In this episode of embers, we asked our teens to define what hope means to them and to share what they are hopeful for in 2022. What they shared left us feeling energized and optimistic for the year ahead... Curious about what they had to say? Come along!

In this special epsiode of embers, we asked our teens to share six words that come to mind when they think of valo. What they shared shows their deep appreciation for valo and left us both filled up and energized to continue to ignite sparks wherever we can. Curious about what they had to say? Come along!

This month on embers, we asked our teens a simple question: what six words best capture your experience living in a pandemic? What they shared put us in a contemplative and curious space... Want to hear what they had to say? Come along!

This month, our teens share how they view the world today and what can be done to begin to bring a greater sense of unity (and hope) in what feels fractured. Spoiler alert: it all begins with conversations and openness :) Curious about what they have to say? Come along!

This month, valo alumni share their thoughts on Simone Bile's decision to step away from competition during the recent Tokyo Olympics–and how her decision might shape the way society views mental health in the future. Curious about what they have to say on this timely topic? Come along!

This month, the teens explore the role that nature plays in their lives. They talk about the need to unplug and reconnect with the natural world–as well as the barriers to their getting outside. We appreciate what they shared. It left us inspired to head outdoors and explore our own neck of the woods. Curious about what they have to say? Come along!

This month on embers, two alumni joined us. Together, they reflected on how the 2020 upwelling of the Black Lives Matter Movement has impacted the world we live in today–and how it might influence youth involvement in activism in the future. We admire the candor and hope these alumni brought to the conversation... Curious about what they have to say? Come along!

This month the teens dove deep and explored their relationships with the adults in their lives. They shared ways they'd like adults to support them, as well as areas where they are craving a bit more independence. We loved hearing about what they admire in mentors, parents, coaches, teachers, and other adults in their lives... Curious about what they have to say? Come along!

This month, the teens explore the topic of social media activism and share insights into how they create community, and cultivate change, online and off. They openly share how they experience social media activism, and explore both the advantages and disadvantages of taking a stand within a digital space. Curious about what they have to say? Come along...

This month, the valo teens took inspiration from women's history month. They share their observations and experiences of feminism today, recognizing the progress we’ve made as well as the work we have ahead, if we want to live in a society that treats all genders equally. They describe their vision for what the world could look like if change continues…and they finish off on a high note by telling us about the female-identifying individuals who inspire them. Come along...

In this special episode, our alumni take the reins and share how their time with valo shaped who they are today and how they are taking what they’ve learned and are impacting their communities in positive ways. Come along...

In this episode, our teens share what it feels like for them to live in this time. In an era of great challenges, and an ever-shifting landscape, the teens explore their hopes for the future and how they believe connection and listening can help to unite our divided nation. Come along...