Realiteen Talks

In the first two Realiteen Talks conversations about unconscious bias, FranklinCovey Education High School Practice Leader Gary McGuey and a panel of teenage guests have tackled how to identify your own biases – after all, if you have a brain you have bias – and how to be open enough to be willing to overcome them. In this third installment, the answer to true growth was revealed – courage. In order to confront bias and experience genuine growth, you have to have the courage to be uncomfortable. No one likes to look in the mirror and see things they wish they could change, but the irony is that those things can't be changed unless you're brave enough to take them on. Some would argue that confronting bias just leads to more conflict. While that misconception can appear true, especially in the early stages of such a confrontation, it's certainly not true over the long run. “If you are confronting bias with respect to the people you're talking to, with tact, with the correct information and with different viewpoints, it can be effective,” one panelist said. “It can create a good response. It can create a safe space for everyone to feel like they're represented [and that] their viewpoint is being heard.” Watch the full episode for more thoughts on how to meet this final battle with unconscious bias head on.

As we discussed in the first episode of Realiteen Talks' series on unconscious bias, every human being on the planet experiences it – and coming to terms with that fact is key to identifying your own unconscious biases. Now, though, more questions remain. Once you've identified an unconscious bias in yourself or others, how can you work through it and begin to cultivate connections with genuine openness? That was the subject of this episode, where host and FranklinCovey High School Practice Leader Gary McGuey was once again joined by a panel of teenage guests ready to deliver their firsthand insight. It all begins, one panelist said, with a commitment to exploring outside your comfort zone. The process, by its very nature, will therefore be uncomfortable, but it's that discomfort that lets you know you're being exposed to things that will help you grow. “Explore maybe those things you don't really see as big biases,” she said. “Just exploring outside of yourself [is key].” It's also critical to work alongside one another to grow together, as unconscious biases are created and reinforced by your own ways of thinking. Without new information and an openness to others' opinions, particularly those that contradict your own, you can only change your own thinking to a certain extent.

Not every bias is an obvious one. In fact, all of us have inherent, unconscious biases that affect the way we view and interact with others. These biases, such as the “horn/halo effect,” where a person's entire character is fleshed out in our minds as either good or “bad” based on a singular event, are difficult to identify. However, that identification has to take place for true conversations about implicit bias and the growth they can engender to occur. On this episode of FranklinCovey Education's Realiteen Talks, the first in a three-part series on unconscious bias, host and High School Practice Leader Gary McGuey was joined by a panel of teenage guests to discuss how we can go about identifying the unconscious biases in our lives. The word “bias” can come across as inherently negative, but that's not always the case. As one panelist said, a bias doesn't have to be destructive to be a bias. In fact, they can have positive outcomes, as well. Biases can also be viewed as “shortcuts” that make our brain connect things that aren't necessarily related. For example, a person wearing athletic gear supporting a particular team could be seen as inhabiting traits someone has come to associate with that group of fans when, in reality, they are their own, complex person. To begin identifying your own biases, you have to first accept that you have biases in the first place. From there, you need to actively consider how your past experiences, preconceived notions and more are affecting the way you act in unrelated situations, then work to ensure you aren't living in an “echo chamber” that doesn't challenge your biases.

It may feel impossible to not compare yourself, particularly regarding body image, to others, from celebrities touted in the media to people who are a part of your everyday life. However, these comparisons can have a negative effect on your self-esteem, placing unrealistic and damaging expectations on you that can affect your self-worth. On this episode of FranklinCovey Education's Realiteen Talks, host and High School Practice Leader Gary McGuey was joined by a panel of teenagers to explore how to break the cycle of unhealthy comparisons and learn to love yourself for who you are. Comparisons can also be drawn between your current self and the person you want to become, such as when you've set a goal to lose weight, be more fit or something else entirely. While pushing yourself and setting goals can help you progress, that growth can only occur with a healthy attitude toward your journey. The panelists offered some tips for managing comparisons, body image and self-esteem. Recognizing your uniqueness and the beauty of being a singular individual, though difficult, can help put you in a better headspace, as can remembering that everyone has a unique journey that no one else can truly see and working to set realistic, achievable standards for yourself that make you happy.

College isn't the right post-high school path for everyone, but it's a part of many teenagers' lives. In turn, it's a part of many a stressful night.However, there are strategies for approaching college preparation without those stress-inducing moments of panic. There's a beneficial method for everyone – it's all about finding it.

Often, it can seem like life is happening to you – and that can lead to a perceived lack of control. Challenges and obstacles come one after another, leading to even more chaos, and it's enough to overwhelm just about anyone. But what if something as simple as your mindset could change that pattern? On this episode of FranklinCovey Education's Realiteen Talks, hosted by High School Practice Leader Gary McGuey, a panel of teenage guest weighed in on the topic of mindset – and how the right attitude and approach could change your eventual outcomes. “Whenever I think of the power of mindset, I really just think about your mentality or the way you approach different situations,” one panelist said. “Whether that be approaching academic, athletics or other relationships. … [It's] also your mindset of positive thoughts versus negative thoughts.” The mind is a powerful and influential thing, the panelists said. In fact, it can be one of largest factors, if not the biggest one, in determining success or failure in a given situation. Without a positive mindset, it's hard to remain motivated in the face of adversity. Many outside factors can influence your mindset, from the way you were raised to past experiences or the particular environment you find yourself in. However, at the end of the day, it's up to you to stay on top of your mental state and find the best way for you to remain strong and committed to a positive, powerful mindset.

We've all been stressed out. Whether you're a teenager with a big project due, a big game tonight or a big college application or an adult worrying over work, bills and other stressors, stress is a natural human emotion and an unavoidable part of life. However, that doesn't mean you can allow it to dictate its own terms and control your life. On this episode of FranklinCovey Education's Realiteen Talks, host and High School Practice Leader Gary McGuey was joined by a pair of teenagers intimately familiar with stress – particularly in a year that's been more difficult than just about any that's come before it. McGuey and the two panelists explored how they recognize stress, keep it at bay, and use it to fuel a more productive approach to the challenges and opportunities in their lives. “I feel like there's also a good side to stress, where we feel motivated by it,” one panelist said. “Things like, perhaps, classes – when we want to do well in a class and we know that, if we do well, it will be good for our futures. … “There's definitely a point where we have to figure out, ‘OK, where is this tipping point?'” To keep stress from becoming a “dark cloud,” it's important to work to understand your own unique signals of being overly stressed and to pay close attention to when stress in one particular area bleeds into other, unrelated aspects of your life.

We'd all be better off if everything we hoped for or strove for resulted in fulfillment and success – but that wouldn't be much of a life, either. Disappointment is a natural part of life. There are plenty of failures to be had, things to let you down, and missteps to take. However, how you accept and deal with disappointment is within your control – and can make all the difference in the world. On this episode of FranklinCovey Education's Realiteen Talks, host and High School Practice Leader Gary McGuey was joined by a panel of teenage guests to talk about the art of accepting disappointment. The panelists agreed that mindset is everything. If you're determined to wallow in disappointment and setbacks, growth can't occur. However, if you choose to view every failure and disappointment as a chance to learn something that could help you grow and become a better human being, you'll flourish. Still, that's easier said than done, particularly in what's been a difficult year-plus for everyone. The panelists offered some advice and lessons they've learned in dealing with disappointment, including searching for opportunity in every disappointment, accepting yourself and the results when you're genuinely putting in your best effort, and understanding what's truly “disappointing” and what actually came from unfair expectations on yourself or others.

Everywhere you turn in today's media landscape, a persistent theme reveals itself – we've become a society obsessed with image. The expectation of perfection, which is wholly unrealistic and detrimental, can lead to significant challenges with how you perceive yourself. Your self-worth is in no way tied to your body image or any other single aspect of who you are – but it can sure feel like it is. On this episode of FranklinCovey Education's Realiteen Talks, host Gary McGuey, High School Practice Leader, was joined by a panel of teenage guests to discuss the often-sticky topic of body image and how they practice self-love. “It's constantly changing,” one panelist said. “I know I compare myself – I think it's just natural instinct. But, as much as you want to compare yourself to social media and what's going on, we have to realize that it's always changing. We can't change ourselves every single week depending on what the trend is now.” The influence of celebrities, peers on social media and more is profound, and it affects everyone. However, teenagers can be ultra-susceptible to the impact of body image, particularly in the age of lives lived on social media. To combat feelings of having to fit in or look or dress a certain way, the panelists said to work to understand what's healthy and normal for your body, what makes you happy, how you want to be perceived, and more.

Mental Health and Wellness is a heavy topic, but it affects everyone in society, no matter socioeconomic status. On this episode of Realiteen Talks, host Gary McGuey, High School Practice Leader for FranklinCovey Education, invited a panel of teenage guests to share how they deal with mental health and wellness, sharing opinions and strategies to overcome challenges they see every day. The panelists felt people need to embrace the idea, “it's okay to not be okay,” and that help cannot be effective until the problem is recognized, and the feelings identified with. Help is out there, and there's nothing wrong with needing professional intervention, from a psychologist or councilor. They pointed out that people in crisis shouldn't be afraid to lean on their friends for support. They also agreed that social media has had a negative effect on mental health, specifically in regards to the pandemic, because people compare themselves to what they see online, and there's less in-person interaction. The panelists shared suggestions of mental health and wellness tips for someone to utilize before they're ready to seek help. These include: don't beat yourself up, try some exercise or sports, focus on nutrition and sleep, as well as water intake. Avoid phone before bed, and focus on yourself; don't take other people's problems on. There is a stigma regarding mental health and wellness, and until society works together toward acceptance, and recognizes the issues are valid and cannot be ignored, things won't get better.

There's nothing wrong with structure and routine – they can bring order to your life, help you be more efficient, and help you feel more in control. However, what happens when you begin to run on autopilot and live by default, not design? That's the subject of this episode of FranklinCovey Education's Realiteen Talks, where host Gary McGuey, High School Practice Leader, was joined by a panel of teenage guests to talk about living more intentionally. The biggest indicator, the panelists agreed, of a lack of purpose is a lack of goals. Setting goals, both big and small, can keep your attention on the work you'll need to do to achieve them. Whether it's getting into the right college for you or retiring a millionaire, it all begins with intent. The difference between living by default and by design is most apparent in how you respond to things in your life. Those living by default often let life happen to them, rolling with the punches and “going with the flow.” Those living by design make choices to exercise control over their own path. While living by design can make goal setting and achievement simpler, there isn't inherently anything wrong with living by default, particularly for short periods of time. If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's important not to let yourself feel like you're failing because your goals haven't been achieved or you took a moment to pause, breathe and reset.

In the modern world, it's impossible to escape digital means of communication. From social media to online work and school, more of our collective lives exists on the internet than it ever has before – and this can have drastic consequences when cyber bullies use anonymity and the ease of interaction to strike. On this episode of Realiteen Talks, host Gary McGuey, High School Practice Leader for FranklinCovey Education, invited a panel of teenage guests to share how they work to fight back. Part of the issue, the panelists said, is that many users of new apps and other online methods of communication don't even realize that they can be a part of the problem. It's not always direct threats or negative remarks – even a simple misplaced or misunderstood comment could have devastating effects. When those little, seemingly harmless things add up, it becomes a much heavier weight for the person being bullied. That makes it important to constantly be aware of the things you're posting online, how you're interacting with others, and what you're contributing to the wider conversation. You can never truly know what someone is thinking or feeling, particularly in an online setting, so work to spread love and positivity, not anger or hate.

When you hear the words “social acceptance,” there are a variety of connotations that could follow. Does it mean doing whatever it takes to be liked, or simply finding a way to fit in? On this episode of Realiteen Talks, host Gary McGuey, High School Practice Leader for FranklinCovey Education, invited a panel of teenage guests to share their own opinions on social acceptance. Overall, social acceptance refers to the way you feel others perceive you in a certain group, which can change depending on who you're interacting with. This is likely the basis for the common misconception that you need to “fit in” to others' expectations. The most important thing is not to change who you are to try and achieve that “perfect fit.” It's most important to learn who you genuinely are, accept and love yourself, and find others who reciprocate that authenticity. It's also important to approach others with the same welcoming open-mindedness. You should offer understanding and empathy and work to find ways to gain insight into others' perspectives, particularly in a time when social media, social unrest and more have caused tensions. Cliques and natural groups will occur, but tolerance and participation in the advancement of inclusivity are also critical to helping forge a better world.

At 19, Anthony O'Neal was homeless with no hope in sight.Now, he's a bestselling author with a clear, stated goal of “helping students find and pursue their passions.”On this special bonus episode of Realiteen Talks, hosted by FranklinCovey Education High School Practice Leader Gary McGuey, O'Neal joined a panel of teenage guests to talk financial literacy and navigating the challenges that come along with managing money, especially for young people.Right off the bat, O'Neal revealed one of the key things teenagers often misunderstand when beginning their unique journeys with financial literacy.“Young people don't really take money seriously,” he said. “One of the biggest mistakes I see with high schoolers is they think money just falls from the tree. They believe that money is easy come and go. Money is intentional. What you do with your money will pay off.”There are small steps every teen can take to be intentional with their finances. Have a budget, even if it's a relatively simple one, and approach savings goals large and small with purpose. Whether it's saving for prom or the eventual college or car of your dreams, you can begin today.Tune into the full episode for more insights from O'Neal and our teenage panel.

Throughout the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world tremendously on a societal level – but it's also affected many of us on a personal level.Social distancing, stay-at-home orders and remote learning and work have made us more isolated than ever before, and that isolation is having a profound effect on mental and physical well-being.On this episode of Realiteen Talks, FranklinCovey High School Practice Leader Gary McGuey invited a panel of three teenagers to discuss their own experience with pandemic-related isolation – and how they've worked to overcome it.Even in the case of physical interaction, distancing and masks have limited our ability to send and receive messages of positivity. There are also a lot of milestones being missed, at least in their traditional forms, as Sweet 16s, sports events, school dances, and more have been put on hold.However, there are strategies for helping one another cope.In particular, adopting a more positive outlook can help. Instead of thinking, “Why me?,” try to think about the things that you're grateful for.And, even though they're no substitute for in-person interaction, there are real, tangible benefits to video chatting with friends, finding a positive hobby, spending time with family, and talking about how you're feeling with those close to you.

Toxic relationships conjure images of significant others that aren't right for one another, or perhaps of a friend who chooses to put you down instead of supporting you. However, these toxic relationships can truly be with anyone, and they're more common for teens than many realize.On this episode of Realiteen Talks, host Gary McGuey, High School Practice Leader for FranklinCovey Education, hosts a discussion with a panel of teenage guests on toxic relationships — and how to repair or leave them.Toxic relationships could describe interactions with friends, family or even strangers on social media. Today's panelists also said that they think the majority of teens have been in at least one toxic relationship, which can have extremely damaging effects.They contrasted a toxic relationship with a healthy one, noting that, “in healthy relationships, [we] feel good, full and accomplished.”The panelists agreed that many people don't even know they are in a toxic relationship, adding that "you may ignore red flags, at first, because you like them so much.”Once someone knows a relationship is toxic, it can be hard to leave it. A good process, though, is to “self-assess, look at the pros and cons, and communicate.” Talking to others you trust can also provide needed perspective.Ultimately, the decision to walk away is on the person in the relationship. "You can only change yourself. If I'm in a relationship I don't like, I can get stronger and overcome it.” For those struggling, self-love is vital to leaving these relationships, and today's guests offered a number of ways you can engage in that beneficial practice.

It's impossible to escape the influence of social media. Even for those who don't participate, it has a measurable impact on our day-to-day lives, from influencers and celebrities to everyday teenagers.With that omnipresent nature comes potential pitfalls.Social media is a great tool for meeting new friends, sharing common interests, entertainment, and more, but it's critical to practice careful stewardship of your online presence and personal “brand.”That's the subject of this episode of Realiteen Talks, as host and FranklinCovey Education High School Practice Leader Gary McGuey invited a three-teenager panel of firsthand experts to discuss how they care for their own social brand.That's because a person's “social brand” also extends to the real world and how others interact with them. Everything is intertwined, and people that have never met you can now from an opinion of who you are – or seem to be – simply from digital interactions and content.In discussing this enormous topic, McGuey and his guests offered several key insights, such as posting about your personal beliefs and convictions, keeping your eye on the wider context of everything you post, and considering how your social brand could affect life choices down the road.

Host Gary McGuey, High School Practice Leader for FranklinCovey Education, is back with another insightful panel of teenage guests to tackle a prominent topic that is not only present during adolescence, but throughout life – hope.Hope can prove difficult to define, though the panelists agreed that it has a large impact on your overall well-being. As one guest put it, “it's almost like hope stirs those emotions – it's that feeling in your stomach of super-strong faith.”Hope keeps you moving in a positive direction when things aren't working out as intended or when you start to lose belief that the things you're working toward will come to fruition.Still, hope isn't a magic answer to all that ails you. One guest called hope without a plan “something you wish would happen,” adding that hard work and persistence are needed to fuel hope and eventually reach the desired outcome.“Wishes don't come true unless you put the work into it,” she said. “You have to be proactive in how you're hoping for something.”In being more intentional and purposeful in hope, you transform it from a word that's commonly thrown around as a temporary salve into an action and driving force.

On this episode of Realiteen Talks, host Gary McGuey and a panel of teenage guests discuss how to ensure your failures fuel your growth, not set you back.Everyone fails. Falling short of a goal or expectation is a part of life and part of what makes us human – and learning how to respond appropriately to those failures is key to unlocking your true potential.On this episode of FranklinCovey's Realiteen Talks, host and High School Practice Leader for FranklinCovey Education Gary McGuey invited on a panel of three teenage guests to discuss how failure can be fertilizer.“When [some people] encounter failure, they just give up. They don't continue,” one guest said. “The way I think of it – and the way I think everyone else should – is to look at it in a positive way.”The other guests agree, adding that failure helps us grow specifically because it shows us what doesn't work or, perhaps, why a good strategy or plan failed, even though it has the potential to drive growth and success.Failure is also a tremendous way to discover new perspectives and engage with others who have been in your shoes. You aren't the first person to fail in attempting whatever it is you have your eyes set on, and that means there's someone out there who can help you diagnose that setback and push ahead.

Everyone's heard the classic advice: say no to peer pressure. In situations where friends or others are trying to get someone to do something dangerous or destructive, that's the right response – but are there times when peer pressure is actually a good thing?On the second episode of RealiteenTALKS with host Gary McGuey, McGuey and a trio of teen guests tackled the topic, exploring when being pushed by those close to you can result in personal growth.There are clearly identifiable traits of positive peer pressure. Friends encouraging one another to work hard and do the right thing is one, as are support in difficult times and affirmation.There are also red flags in the other direction, the group agreed. Sometimes, friends gradually lose their way and, even you've been close to them for years, a gut feeling or feeling of being conflicted about something they've asked you to do can tip you off that something's not quite right.“Those red flags start to look a little bit yellow if they've been your friend forever,” one guest said.One key to experiencing positive peer pressure, though it can come from anyone, is paying care attention to those closest to you and ensuring that the trust you place in them is based on genuine relationships and a desire to see one another succeed.Subscribe to RealiTEEN Talks for more insights about the issues facing today's teenagers.

Teenagers face unique and daunting challenges – and listening to the ideas and thoughts of others can be a powerful way to meet those challenges head on.On the debut episode of FrankinCovey's Realiteen Talks, High School Practice Leader for FranklinCovey Education Gary McGuey was joined by a panel of teenage guests to discuss a core aspect of every person's journey: leadership.Though leadership is often associated with very vocal direction and extroverted personalities, it comes in many forms. In fact, as one panelist put it, there are times to follow and times to lead – and leadership is knowing the difference.It isn't about being the loudest in the room but setting the right example and working alongside others toward a shared goal. Selflessness is another critical piece of a well-rounded leader's personality.Leadership is a choice, not a position. Everyone can step up and lead – most genuine forms of leadership aren't driven by a title, but by a person's character and ability to embody the traits that result in good leadership.“It's a choice for people to be a leader,” one panelist said. “A lot of people can do it, and they choose to do it, even if they don't realize it.”

Join us for powerful and timely weekly discussions about the topics that matter most to students! With a cohort of twelve high schoolers, we ask our panelists and listeners to think deeply, engage fully, and most importantly, speak their own authentic truth. These young leaders take on thought-provoking, real-life topics every week, and offer up tools, strategies, and hope. Let's Talk!