Here's The Thing...

We have been talking a lot about college recently.  BUT... what if college isn't for you?  What if you plan to take a gap year? Or...DON'T EVEN KNOW what you might want to do after high school?!  This episode shares three questions that are a great way to start a conversation with your teen, or for then to start thinking themselves about what they want to do.  BONUS FOR THE PARENTS!...stay tuned til the end for a bonus question.   -- HAVE QUESTIONS or TOPIC SUGGESTIONS? Connect with me at kimlukens.com (where you can also sign up for newsletters) or on instagram: kim_lukens and TikTok: @kimlukens   Quick Episode Summary:  Do you need help with some self-discovery?  Free resources that could help you along your college journey One of Kim's favorite questions to ask  The workforce is ever-evolving How to avoid the “I should” mindset  The power of open-ended questions  

Meet Becky Blades, author of Do Your Laundry or You'LL Die Alone  - advice your mom would give if she thought you were listening.  She chats with us about senioritis, the stress our teens place on THEMSELVES, and worrying that someone will love our children when they fly the nest.   Watch for her new book, “Start More Than You Can Finish”, launching this fall!! -- You can connect with Becky (and purchase copies of her book at): Website: laundryordie.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaundryorDie Instagram: @beckyblades2 -- You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens or you can find all of her connections spots through https://linktr.ee/kimlukens -- QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Get to know Becky Blades Why Becky wrote her first book How senior year affects everyone in the family How to find the best time for feedback Taking the emotions as they come Parenting is a creative process One piece of advice Kim is passing along to her kids

Meet Amy McLaren! Amy is a wife, mother and charity leader who is using her passions to make an impact. Learn about how she got here, her brand new book, and what she hopes for teens at they bigin to discover what they are passionate about. Connect with Amy after this episode at: villageimpact.com and on IG: @amydowmclaren @villageimpact You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Welcome Amy How Amy found her passion for teaching Create impact and help others today Follow the love of what you do Ask for help and learn from others You can do hard things  A look into Amy's book Just pick a starting point and go for it

In sticking with the underlying theme of not having to have it all figured out as a teen, Jamie shares how the directions of her path changed and evolved. She shares how her work with Christian teen girls came to be. And what it felt like as an older teen to begin to see her calling in life. Connect with Jamie after the podcast at: uncommonteen.com IG @uncommon.teen Dare to Be: A Devotional for Girls - available on Amazon and on the Uncommon Teen app!   You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Get to know Jaime  How Jaime get here today Jaime's breakthrough moment  How this moment felt Overcoming self-doubt  Tapping into self-understanding How to connect more with Jaime  

Welcome back to Here's The Thing! Today we are continuing our series on "How they got here" by interviewing the amazing Amy Balowitz Miller.  Hear how she went from confused to confident in her career path after high school and beyond.    LINKS: amysartpalette.com themotherdaughterartproject.com FB and IG: amysartpalette You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Welcome Amy Amy's journey and how she got here today When Amy found something she was passionate about You don't need to know how to do everything When Amy knew she could do it, but needed help.  Finding a coach at any age Wisdom from an empty nester  How to connect with Amy

If you remember Melissa from Season 1, you'll remember she is open and honest and tells it like she sees it. Since you heard her last, she is now also working with teens! Here how she got here in this episode. To connect with Melissa after the show: Find her on FB and IG The ReCreated podcast and Marigold Wellness Collective on IG @marigoldwellnesscollective and at marigoldsharon.com   You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Welcome back, Melissa! When Melissa started choosing her career  You are allowed to evolve  How Melissa gets to do what she loves every Be brave and take action on your dreams Be the best boss you can be When Kim lost her job What Melissa has learned from her younger employees  Your mistakes or bumper stickers don't define you

How did Shelli Varela go from a manicurist to a firefighter to a teen mentor? Much the same as many of the guests this season who didn't start out with the goal of working with teens. Join us as Shelli shares how it "feels" when she notices the next best thing and what you can do now to tune in to yourself. She believes that not all gifts come wrapped in bows and that your body will never lie to you. LINKS: Connect with Shelli after the podcast on IG, FB and TikTok: @shellivarela You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Welcome, Shelli Varela! When Shelli had to pay for college  The dangers of putting yourself in a box Why not you? Pay attention to what brings you alive  Tuning in to your body  Starting with possibilities  Give yourself permission to fail 

Dorene Olsen is back with us to share more with us! Your professional life could have many twists and turns, you never know where your work and passions could take you. In this episode, Dorene will share her career journey to becoming a brand expert. Teens, this episode is exactly what you need to hear if you are starting to feel the pressure of August right around the corner.    LINKS: Connect with her after the episode on FB Messenger @doreneolsen and by joining her FB community, BrandDelicious Trailblazers   You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Welcome, Dorene Olsen! How Dorene  journey started Doren’s journey to finding the right college  How that comes naturally could be a clue to your purpose Be sure to check your email Understanding how your employers communicate  Success is not a linear path How to blog out the negative voices Asking for feedback and keeping an open mind You don’t have to have all the pieces by August 

Betsy Cadel is a college essay specialist with over 30 years of experience as a writer and marketing expert. Her company, College Essay Helpers, works with high school juniors to write compelling essays that will impress admissions officers to increase their chances of getting into their dream school while reducing stress, family tension and feeling overwhelmed. As a former advertising copywriter, she’s sold everything from trucks to tampons and brings that marketing savvy to her role as an essay coach not just to help students tell their most authentic, deepest story, but to position them so that they stand out from thousands of other applicants. She’s written two parenting resource books and scripted over 100 how-to tech tutorials for time-strapped moms. Betsy’s also an empty nester and mom to a college junior. She lives in New York City with her husband and Aussie terrier, Pixel. Visit collegeessayhelpers.com to learn more about how she’s helped so many families successfully navigate the college essay process.   LINKS: Resources referenced in today's episode: hwww.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2021/article/mobile/field-of-degree-and-careers.htm https://www.bls.gov/ooh   Social Media Links: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/collegeessayhelpers FB: www.facebook.com/collegeessayhelpers IG: www.instagram.com/collegeessayhelpers Clubhouse: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/@betsycadel Website: collegeessayhelpers.com    You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Get to know Betsy How detours can become on-ramps How parents can delay the college application process  You don’t have to have it all figured out Betsy’s best advice for parents  Where to start with the college process  Your skills could be a clue to your calling How a school newspaper can tell you everything you need Create a schedule that is manageable 

If you only ever share one episode with EVERYONE you know, let it be this one!! It is Norry Ascroft's goal to get his FREE book, The Truth About Bullying into as many hands as possible! When it comes to bullying, Norry believes that we have been staring at the carpet and what we really need to do is look at the foundation. And his passion for helping youth runs deep. And I couldn't be more honored to help him share this information that so directly aligns with my deep passion for empowering youth around this very subject. To connect with Norry and to get your free copy, visit: The Truth About Bullying is available to download from the website, youthpotential.mykajabi.com The paperback version is also available on Amazon.com for $6.48: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B1G8J9Q You can also find him on Instagram @norryascroft You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY  Why Norry is passionate about helping teens Dripping feeding the truth and how it works The real reason why kids turn into bullies The poker chip theory  Why Norry never wants to hear the story  How the UK handles bullying compared to the US The importance of good self talk Our words have power

Ben Rein is back and he is now officially Dr. Ben Rein, PhD! He joins me (literally) on the road to his new position at Stanford University. He shares what he has been up to since joining us last, the future of ASC and his passion for continuing to reach a hand down to help the next generation of scientists figure it out!   You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens Have Q's for Ben? Connect with him at: email: benreinresearch@gmail.com or Instagram: @the.brein QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Welcome back! What to expect in season four What Ben has been up to lately Why we don’t dream every night Can dreams truly be forgotten The importance of rum cycles Why do some events seem to last longer than others How a nightmare made Ben decide to switch careers The scariest part of changing your destiny How high schoolers can start getting real job experience How you can connect directly with Ben

It was so hard to choose just three favorite moments from the first three seasons. All of my guests were amazing and have such a passion for what they do. Find out what those three moments were in today's episode. And make sure to let me know what your favorite moments were from the first thirty episodes. You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Can you believe this is the end of season three? Kim’s favorite moment from season one A funny update on Kim’s lost camera  What Kim learned from Abigail Kim’s favorite moment from season three Season four coming soon!  

Michelle Berkey Hill is back to talk with me about productivity hacks. We have both recognized that we are editing behaviors right now to create better results and realized, teens can start to learn what works for them NOW! Join us as we share three ideas for where to get started hacking productivity.   You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY   Welcome back Michelle Hill! Three productivity hacks every teen needs to know The secret to having long-lasting change  The “sticky note” tip The Pomodoro technique and how to beat procrastination  An app that makes focusing fun and rewarding  The secret to setting yourself up for success  A quick way to know what kind of planner you should use  A few great app suggestions to use for planning  Does timing matter in planning? The one thing you should give yourself permission to do  A tip on how to keep creativity flowing  Michelle’s final advice for teens

Meet Joey Mascio, a fellow Teen and Young Adult Coach and a middle school teacher. Join us as he shares how he uses his theatre background to story tell in coaching and how he rewrote the script for the environment of his school's "Discipline" Office.   You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Meet Joey Mascio How the pandemic has leveled the playing field  How to handle the “should’ decisions  Knowing where you want to go vs how you get there  How Joey is breaking the stigma with going to the principles office  A resource every student can benefit from  Joey’s story of transition from high school to college  What Joey is now doing to help teens  Something you might not know about Kim Reframing ‘going to the office’ in college  How to make failure work for you The mindset shift for both principles and students  Practical tips to help your teen work through mistakes Apply this one skill to effectively communicate with your teens Joey's whiteboard method of communicating  The things Joey has learned from teens  How every ‘cliche’ is true

Often times picking the right college has a very academic focus and can seem overwhelming. The great news is, you don't have to have it all figured out to discover your right fit! Join me as I talk with Dorene Olsen about her unique process for picking a college and when you should start looking. You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY What Doreen does to make college hunting fun At what age does personal branding start? How branding helps the college process Unique perspectives on college hunting Tips for the first steps of looking for a college Personality tests’ role in the college process What you can do in high school to make college easier The power of belief statements What is important to you? The ‘notebook’ tip It’s ok to not know what you want to do The power of being clear on your mission Doreen’s tips for overwhelmed freshman The power of staying curious A healthy view on testing at sophomore and junior level Tips as you graduate college Kim and Doreen’s tips for college graduates Doreen’s tips for teens

Many parents of teens today grew up completely unplugged. So how do we shift to raising digital teens? How much do we need to learn and is there a one-size-fits-all solution? LINKS: Connect further with Michelle at: graceandthegravelroad.com You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens

Michelle Berkey Hill is joining me today to talk about conflict. We both have different ways of reacting to it, which got us wondering...do our teens know how to handle it rather than avoid it? We talk about what we want our teens to know and what we struggle with ourselves.   LINKS: Connect further with Michelle at: graceandthegravelroad.com You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY: Meet Michelle     Understanding healthy and unhealthy conflict  Building your conflict muscle  The bowling ball theory  Three unhealthy ways to handle conflict  Just because you feel something doesn’t mean you should say it How Michelle and Kim have learned to handle conflict  Kim and Michelle’s parting tips on conflict resolution 

Are you finding yourself overwhelmed or overscheduled, OR BOTH? Join me as we talk about it what we recognize has and hasn't worked. HAVE QUESTIONS OR A TOPIC YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO DISCUSS? LINKS: You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   My guest today Chantel has some new touchpoints! Connect with her at: Chantel’s Tiktok: @genxtrachantel Chantel’s FB: Chantel Ferraro D2B Photography & Productions: www.d2bphotography.com D2B on Instagram: www.instagram.com/d2bphotography D2B on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dream2beimagellc Chantel’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/genxtrachantel QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Chantel’s topic of the day Handling life when it’s too busy The definition of being busy Recognizing what is and what is not inside of your control 2020 changed all of us We should have the space to figure things out Projecting on your teenager Writing your thoughts down There is no “right” way to do things Teens, be honest with your parents.

Just like all of us, our teens are each unique. So where one teen feels comfortable talking to you might not be a good spot for another one. Join me as we discuss where each of our own teens opens up and some of the do's and don'ts once they do.   HAVE QUESTIONS OR A TOPIC YOU WOULD LOVE ME TO DISCUSS? Connect with Kim through DM on IG @kim_lukens and on TikTok @kimlukens   LINKS: You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   My guest today Chantel has some new touchpoints! Connect with her at: Chantel’s Tiktok: @genxtrachantel Chantel’s FB: Chantel Ferraro D2B Photography & Productions: www.d2bphotography.com D2B on Instagram: www.instagram.com/d2bphotography D2B on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dream2beimagellc Chantel’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/genxtrachantel QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Where do you talk to your kids? The foundation of good communication is relationship  Are you asking open-ended questions?    Things to avoid when talking to your kid Being honest with your kids is key Parents are growing as much as their kids Things to do when talking to your children What to do when your kids are  What’s your one thing for today?

We cannot be more excited for the opportunities that being a part of Gen Z brings to our teens. But what we were not prepared for was how the fear of failure would influence some of their decisions. Join us as we share our personal experiences with failure as well as our perspective as parents.   LINKS: You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   You can connect with Chantel at: Chantel’s Tiktok: @officialgenxmomchantel Chantel’s FB: Chantel Ferraro Chantel’s Instagram www.instagram.com/official_genxmomchantel   Chantel Ferraro D2B Photography & Productions: www.d2bphotography.com D2B on Instagram: www.instagram.com/d2bphotography D2B on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dream2beimagellc   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Welcome back! What to expect today Gen Z and the fear of failure  Vanity metrics and the future There is more to social media than we thought  Chantels daughter and fear of posting No one can define you Why GenZ is so incredible  Emotional intelligence  Are the stories in your mind real?

Chantel Ferraro will be joining me as a guest co-host for all of Season Three! Join us as we share from our individual perspectives, off some blind-reactions and just have fun as we talk about what we wish we knew as teens and what we are still learning as parents.   LINKS: You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   You can connect with Chantel at: Chantel’s Tiktok: @officialgenxmomchantel Chantel’s FB: Chantel Ferraro Chantel’s Instagram www.instagram.com/official_genxmomchantel   Chantel Ferraro D2B Photography & Productions: www.d2bphotography.com D2B on Instagram: www.instagram.com/d2bphotography D2B on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dream2beimagellc   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY What to expect this season New year same use Setting S.M.A.R.T. goals The fear of change Creating a safe place for kids to be vulnerable Are you changing for you or other people? What do you want to let go of? What do you want to keep? The result of trying new things Get to know Chantel

She is back! You might remember Abigail from Season 1, but what you might not know is that I met her on TikTok! She is back to hang with me and share what she's been up to and I couldn't think of a better way to close out Season 2.   LINKS: Connect with Kim on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Welcome back, Abigail! What Abigail has been up to When Abigail went viral Abigail’s advice for all teens Connect with Abigail

Chantel is a GenX Momma of 3 who specializes in high school senior & personal brand photography, looking to make a difference by sharing her story. She says "I’ve overcome a lot to get where I am today and want to be a truthful voice in a very filtered world about body image and sexual abuse recovery". In this part 2 of her 2-part episode, we chat about Snapchat Dysmorphia, Positivity vs Truth, and the lost art of story telling.   LINKS: You can connect with her at: Dream2Be Image, LLC Authentic*Original*Unique www.dream2beimage.com Follow Dream2Be Instagram: www.instagram.com/d2bphotography Like Dream2Be on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dream2beimagellc Follow Chantel’s Instagram www.instagram.com/genxmommachantel   Connect with Kim on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY The answer to your cliffhanger Taking your power back Snapchat dysmorphia Why it is important for parents to stay relevant Chantel’s thoughts on the TikTok ban What keeps Chantel motivated You are not for everyone

Chantel is a GenX Momma of 3 who specializes in high school senior & personal brand photography, looking to make a difference by sharing her story. She says "I’ve overcome a lot to get where I am today and want to be a truthful voice in a very filtered world about body image and sexual abuse recovery".   LINKS: In this part 1 of her 2-part episode, we chat about what she loves about TikTok, the movement of positivity, and the filters which teens are looking through. You can connect with her at: Dream2Be Image, LLC Authentic*Original*Unique www.dream2beimage.com Follow Dream2Be Instagram: www.instagram.com/d2bphotography Like Dream2Be on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dream2beimagellc Follow Chantel’s Instagram www.instagram.com/genxmommachantel   Connect with Kim on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY What to expect today How Kim met Chantel Why Chantel loves TikTok When Chantel went viral One of the best parts about being in GenX The popularity of positivity The problem with sheltering your children How Chantel makes her clients feel comfortable e in photoshoots

Nicole is a food and travel content creator and the spirit behind Nicole the Nomad. She loves making people smile and teaching people how to cook as she travels the world encouraging people to #DoStuff. When she's not producing videos for her YouTube and TikTok channels, she loves finding new ice cream shops and going to Disneyland. LINKS: Connect with Kim on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Meet Nicole Renard Nicole’s Tik Tok & smoothie bowl journey  Travel blogging during the pandemic Mindset depending on which social media platform you use What teens should be aware of on Tik Tok Approaching social media as a job Advice pertaining to the pitfalls of comparison How the Miss America competition changed Nicole’s health Looking a certain way isn’t necessarily an indicator of health Eating healthy can be fun Nicole’s final thought

Judith Rupp describes herself as "a tiktoker who tries to share humor and positivity". She thinks we should all embrace what makes us different, practice gratefulness, and look for the humor in life. LINKS: You can connect with her on TikTok @judith.rupp Connect with Kim on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Meet Judith Rupp Getting personal on TikTok Why Kim loves TikTok Learning how to take the good and the bad What Judith wishes she knew when she was young Doing things in your own time Don't get wrapped up in the numbers   Advocate for yourself Last thoughts

Sam Anthony Lucania is a Coach, Author and Motivational Speaker who is on his own long-term recovery journey from substance use disorder. He uses his personal experience with drugs, alcohol, depression, anxiety, suicidal behavior and recovery along with metal, spiritual and physical fitness to educate and motivate others. LINKS: Connect with Kim on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast. The title of his book is Hands Like You're Praying. And you can connect with him on TikTok @samanthonyspeaks and on his website, samanthonyspeaks.com.   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Meet Sam What it was like being an anxious young man When anxiety sets in Some of the best advice Sam has ever received The dirtiest 4 letter word What is more important than followers Don’t get wrapped up in the algorithm When Sam’s book released What's next for Sam

Ben Rein a 5th-year neuroscience Ph.D. student at SUNY Buffalo, studying the genetic and neurobiological basis of autism spectrum disorder. In addition to his passion for research, he finds great satisfaction in teaching and helping others, particularly those struggling with the same challenges that he has faced. For that reason, he created ASC, the Aspiring Scientists Coalition, a free-to-join organization designed to provide guidance to students pursuing careers in the sciences!   LINKS: You can connect with Ben on Instagram and TikTok @the.brein Connect with Kim on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Welcome Ben How Ben started on TikTok Why Ben started ASC Ben’s FAQ Ben’s most interesting facts about the Brain How to Brian communicates with itself What happens when you sleep One of Ben’s craziest dreams What comes next for Ben Ben's best advice for you

Season Two continues with Ms. Bobbie Davies. She is known on TikTok as Chatty Bobbie. She is a Therapist in the UK who feels that she is a "just regular 31yo with no extraordinary story, who just happens to do therapy with young people for a living." When she is not working, she is listening to rock music, traveling, or doing aerial hoop and pol fitness! She describes her vibe as "about empowering people and trying to help them see their own potential." LINKS: You can connect with her on TikTok and IG @chatty.bobbie and on YouTube Chatty Bobbie. Connect with Kim on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Meet Bobbie Ending the stigma around therapy Creating healthy boundaries The importance of communication How Bobbie handled cyberbullying Hurting people hurt people Don’t rush The one thing Bobbie wants you to know

Season Two continues with Mr. Mike Huebner! He is known on TikTok as The Credible Teacher. He is a middle school teacher who is passionate about helping other teachers become as (credible) trustworthy as they can in the eyes of their students by encouraging them to take care of themselves in order to have a larger, positive impact on their students' lives. You can find him on both TikTok and IG @the.credible.teacher. And as the Host of The Credible Teacher podcast.   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY: Meet Mike Why Mike went into education The greatest challenges Mike has as a teacher The importance of empathy Showing them don't just tell them What brought Mike to TikTok Why Kim Podcasts How Mike connects with his students Be kind to yourself

Season Two kicks off with Dr. Catherine Zeisner! She is a proud Canadian scholar-practitioner who believes the best in education is right around the corner. Currently, an assistant professor at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, Catherine teaches both Masters and Doctoral students. She believes in the power of resiliency and positivity as demonstrated by conquering cancer in 2011 and completing 3 Chicago Marathons. Having taught French, Phys-ed, multiple grade levels and special education, Catherine believes all students can learn and all teachers can thrive in our diverse educational settings. As an ADHD program teacher, vice-principal, and principal, Catherine proved that relationships are the key to school success by bridging the gaps between what’s needed and what’s possible. “Anything is possible if you have the right people in the right room at the right time, focusing on the right things.” Dr. Zeisner has a very simple message for educators around the world…PUSH UP! Not the tough exercise kind of push up but the kind of behavior that respectfully challenges the status quo engages a wide community and gets others to think differently. The kind of difference that provides success for students’ tomorrow, today! LINKS You can find all of her connections by clicking here.    QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY: Welcome to season two! The first video Kim saw of Dr. Zeisner The stigma around counseling Can you teach emotional intelligence? The aunt/uncle affect The importance of rest, family time, and education. How to get your privacy back The one thing Dr. Zeisner would say to you today

We talked a lot about self-care, overcoming, and understanding yourself in this first season. Join me as we talk about how life is not like and an airplane taking off, it is more like a roller coaster or bicycle ride. And what the road to brave looks like ahead. Thank you all so much for listening as I grew through Season 1! Please download, subscribe and SHARE, SHARE, SHARE so that you don't miss Season 2. and connect with me on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   That's a wrap!   Quick Episode Summary: The journey of life Life is like a rollercoaster Season one has Reflections on the first season How to show up better A sneak peek into season two Do something that challenges you this Summer How Kim is stepping out of her comfort zone Where you are at today is just the beginning

Melissa is back, and Part 2 of Teens and Enneagram is here! The book I picked to read is The Road Back To You, An Enneagram Journey To Self-Discovery, by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. If you are interested in understanding yourself better through the enneagram, I suggest starting by reading about it BEFORE taking the test. If there is something you would like us to answer or discuss on a future episode, please message Kim on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast. Melissa can be found on IG @honeybee.beauty_ if you would like to connect with her! Thank you for your grace as you remember that we are Parents discussing this, not Enneagram Professionals.   Quick Episode Summary: Never give-up Mel’s children’s anagram numbers Why Mel finds the engram helpful There is no “right” way to do some things How Mel’s kids have become more self-aware Staying healthy in your number Why you should ask questions Mel’s biggest takeaway Kim’s biggest takeaways

My passion for helping t(w)een girls with confidence, connection, and finding their voice started with my own story as a teen. In today's episode, I share that story with all of you, and how What Is Your Girl Power has been a way for me to help girls find and their own voices, recognize their own powers and begin to master their own emotional intelligence!   The resource I mentioned that I really like is teenlineonline.org (also an app by the same name).   Other resources that may help include 800-799-SAFE, Al-Anon/Ala-teen: 800-344-2666, Youthline: text Teen2Teen to 839863 and 7cups.com   If there is something you would like us to answer or discuss on a future episode, please message Kim on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   Quick Episode Summary: What to expect today A look into Kim's childhood Kim’s pool part When Kim experienced bullying The pain always shows back up When Kim started her life work Join the community The best resources for teens

In this episode, you will meet Abigail Brown. Abigail is an Artist and Blogger with a unique and inspiring story of life with dystonia. She shares how she stays positive, that CAN'T is not a word in her vocabulary, and why joy is a choice!   Connect with Abigail: You can find her on TikTok and Instagram @abidingwithjoy, on her blog at abidingwithjoyinchrist.com and on Facebook at Silent Inspirations.   Connect with Kim: If there is something you would like us to answer or discuss on a future episode, please message Kim on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   Quick Episode Summary: Meet Abigail How Abigail lost her voice How Kim’s laughter overcame adversity Abigail’s love for art Abigail’s favorite teen memories When Kim lost her voice Abigail’s experience with bullying Lean into your relationships with adults How Abigail leans gets through tough times Abigail’s advice for you Next episode sneak peek

During a time when so many things are uncertain, it's helpful to look at the things we can and can not control. This episode will give you a quick intro to the CIRCLE OF CONTROL and how the quote "Sloppy success beats perfect mediocrity" from Alex Mandossian might give you some perspective.   If there is something you would like us to answer or discuss on a future episode, please message Kim on TikTok @kimlukens or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   Quick Episode Summary: What to expect today What Kim’s house is like Whats important to remember The circle of control The three things you can’t control The three things you can control How distancing can benefit you

Thank you to our listeners! Our first questions have come in and we are answering them today!   If there is something you would like us to answer or discuss on a future episode, please message Kim on TikTok @kimlukens or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   Quick Episode Summary: Your questions answered! Why we are on TikTok Why you shouldn’t Google The most embarrassing thing that happened to Kim and Melisa as teens It’s easy to be kind Why parents are overprotective Why grounding you can suck for moms too Keeping the bubble

This episode provides a high-level introduction to Enneagram for teens 13+ with an overview of the nine motivation types, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. We discuss the numbers "in a nutshell" and what self-care looks like. 'Ennea' is Greek for nine, and 'gram' is greek for figure or drawing. So the simple definition of Enneagram is a nine-pointed figure. It is nine ways of seeing and experiencing the world and helps us understand who we are and what motivates us. If you are interested in learning more about Enneagram, we strongly encourage you to read, study or listen to podcasts first, before taking the test. Materials and interviews with Casey McCollum is a great place to start. A good first book is The Road Back to You by Suzanne Stabile. And if you decide to take the test online, we recommend the one by Beth McCord on her   LINKS: yourenneagramcoach.com.   Quick Episode Summary: Becoming self-aware The different types of enneagram Kim's enneagram results Preparing yourself for any situation Handling negative emotions Understanding your self-care style Resources to learn more about the enneagram

**EPISODE NOTE - Before airing, we did receive permission to share all of the stories that belonged to others. We believe it is important to always ask permission. In this episode, we will talk about things that you don't like but you feel like you should. The things that you go along without of fear of breaking from what is popular or "socially" acceptable. Teens often find themselves following trends even when they don't understand them. We discuss the idea of knowing yourself and how powerful it can be to have the confidence to stay true to your inner voice. We talk about being bold enough to start your own trends, learning your likes and dislikes, and the importance of paying attention to what you say yes to. Reference was made to the Netflix series To All The Boys I've Loved Before.   Quick Episode Summary: You don't have to like what everyone else likes Melissa's family hates water parks Kim's terrible Disney memory How Melissa's daughter sets trends Why boys where scrunchies on their wrist The difference between girls and boys minds What's coming up next

Objectification involves dismissing a person of thoughts or feelings and downgrading them to an object of pleasure and gratification. This episode touches on modesty, confidence vs. forwardness and mutual respect. And on the lighter side, we will talk about short skirts, first kisses, and weak knees.   Quick Episode Summary: Let's have some real talk The way boys and girls are wired It's okay to be who you are Be smart when you dress Confidence is attractive Learn how to date yourself Don't judge a boy by his kiss First kiss stories Weak in the knees moments are possible Today's biggest takeaways

In this episode, you get to know a little more about your host, Kim Lukens and her passion for helping teen girls. She is a wife, mom of three girls, a Certified Health Coach and Teen Mentor. You will also meet "Resident Guest" Melissa Farnsworth. Melissa is also a wife and mom of girls, as well as the owner of Marigold Salon and Marketplace.   They both have vivid memories of the middle and high school years and are ready to share, guide and hopefully entertain. Bring your questions, because they are ready to answer them ALL.   Questions can be submitted through DM on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast or on TikTok @kimlukens.   Quick Episode Summary:   Meet Kim Kim's new website What goes on your body What goes into your body What comes out of your body Meet Melessa Everything is up for discussion What Kim loves about Melissa Know yourself Melissa's open-door policy This is your safe place

Welcome to Here's The Thing. It is Kim's goal to help teens feel seen and heard! This introduction will give you an idea of what you can expect in future episodes. And while she is speaking to teen girls, I think you will find that parents and boys will enjoy listening to episodes as well. Kim feels honored and excited to be on this journey with you.