Supergirls Podcast

Lynda Harlos' website says, "Did you know that majority of human trafficking happening in our area is involving our children, living in homes like yours, and we don't even know? Human Trafficking is not typically like that movie 'Taken', or other movies that show little kids being kidnapped, thrown in a van and then confined to a room and sold. It is our sons and daughters being sold a dream and they are quite often involved while still living at home." "It is time to debunk the myths about human trafficking. If you think this doesn't happen to tight-knit, suburban, faith based families, you are wrong." Lynda's own daughter, Samantha, was being trafficked by her boyfriend. Lynda had a close relationship with her daughter. They talked regularly and would get together on weekends for coffee- and still she had no idea. Now Lynda and Samantha are speaking out in hopes of saving others from the same tragedy. Listen today on Supergirls Podcast to hear Lynda's side of the story and you can hear it in Samantha's own words at https://www.parentwithpurpose.ca/. Resources: Ontario Works Victim Services Victim Services Ontario Victim Support Courage for Freedom Living in Community

Not Professional Advice, just a few things my family is doing to maintain our sanity amidst all the craziness happening right now. Connect with me on Instagram

As the school year is winding down a lot of you might be thinking about finding a summer job. My cousin, Kristin, has lots of experience hiring and employing teens and today she is sharing tips on finding a job, writing a resume (even with no previous work experience), nailing your interview and being a good employee. Connect with Jackie on Instagram

Do you have fears that you feel are holding you back? I do! How would you like more confidence or emotional resilience? Yes please! Today Kate Swoboda, author of "The Courage Habit", is talking about how creating courage as a brain based habit can help you overcome your limiting beliefs and live with clarity and confidence. She talks about recognizing common fear patterns and 4 specific behaviors we can start practicing that will help us live with more courage and therefore more confidence. Learn more about her work at Your Courageous Life.  Connect with Kate on Instagram, Facebook Connect with Jackie on Instagram Other sites we talked about https://www.challengeday.org/

Just some simple stories of teens doing small acts of kindness that made a big impact on others. For more stories of kindness check out Tiny Kindnesses and Good News Network Connect with Jackie on Instagram  

Cami Moss is the host of the podcast, Real Connections, where she shares simple ideas that will help you develop the relationships that mean the most. Today Cami is talking with me about why connection is so important and sharing some tips to make it less scary.  Connect with Cami on Instagram Connect with Jackie on Instagram

This is the 2nd half of a conversation I had with Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Therapist, Melyssa Van Lydegraf. If you missed the first half of our conversation where she talks about what abuse is and clears up common misconceptions you can find it here . In this episode Melyssa is talking about ways you can protect yourself, how to maintain healthy relationships and setting appropriate boundaries. For more information visit https://www.rainn.org/ If you need help please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline 800-656-HOPE

Melyssa Van Lydegraf is a licensed Clinical Social Worker and Therapist that helps survivors of sexual abuse. This is the first half of a conversation we had about abuse. In this conversation Melyssa clears up some misconceptions and explains what abuse is. For more information please visit. https://www.rainn.org/ If you need help please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE Connect with me on Instagram

18 year old MaKayla Prince started her first business when she was only 13 years old. In the first 9 months she made her first 6 figures- put into perspective, that is the equivalent of 20,000 hours of babysitting!!! Today MaKayla is sharing her thoughts on success, managing a social life while managing a business, and learning to save money. Find more from MaKayla at https://www.makaylaprince.com/mhome. Connect with MaKayla on Instagram Connect with Jackie on Instagram

My friend Chrystal has done a lot of research on habits and today she is talking about steps we can take to help us create good habits and break bad habits. Since habits are what help us reach our goals and our goals determine who we become, it's important to create good ones!

Genny was diagnosed with Type 2 Bipolar Disorder when she was 13 years old. For years she was ashamed and didn't tell her friends. Recently Genny decided it was time to start speaking up and change the stigma surrounding mental health disorders. She started her blog, The Lotus Letter, to put a face on Bipolar Disorder. She wants the world to see that even though she has times that she struggles, she still has a happy life. Genny graduated from college, she has an adorable family, and she is just all around a light to everyone she meets.  I am so excited to bring you Genny's story! Connect with Genny on Instagram Connect with Jackie on Instagram

You are enough! Right now! Just as you are!  Connect with me on Instagram

So many of you Supergirls have told me that you love to read but just don't have time to read for fun while in school. Hopefully while you are on Christmas break you have a little free time and can pick up a good book or two. Janssen shares some great recommendations. Connect with Janssen on Instagram or her Blog Connect with me on Instagram

Working as a SRO in a high school with 2300 kids, Officer Gomez has a pretty good idea of some of the things teens face each day and he is working hard to educate the rest of us. He shares REAL stories of the dangers that go along with smart phones and social media. He also shares tips for parents on how to protect our kids and advice for teens on how to get help if you have already gotten involved in some of these dangers. Follow Officer Gomez on Facebook to stay up to date with new things he is seeing. See some of his other presentations on YouTube Connect with me on Instagram

Building on last week's episode about Holiday Traditions, I wanted to share my absolute favorite tradition- making December a month of service. So many of you wrote in the tell me your favorite ways to serve at Christmas time and throughout the year and how you have been blessed by service. Today I’m sharing those stories with the rest of you.

I asked you what some of your favorite Christmas traditions were and I loved the responses I got! I think it's always fun to hear how other family's celebrate. Some of these you might want to implement in your own family this year, and others- maybe not... like building a 39 foot goat statue out of straw. What??? Listen for this and other fun and entertaining traditions. Sign up here for daily ideas this month on how you can #LightTheWorld and make service part of your Christmas tradition. Santa Tracker (Oops, not the website I mentioned in the episode). Connect with me on Instagram

Christmas is coming so I am sharing some of my favorite gift ideas for teen girls! Not sponsored, just recommended by other Supergirls! What has been your favorite gift you ever gave or received? L'ange straightening brush Boulder Bands Book of the Month Club Lit Joy Crate Doodle Crates Rocksbox Jewelry Chat Books- Save 15% with code SUPERGIRLS15 Connect with Jackie on Instagram

Melissa Pyrch is a high school English teacher- the kind of high school English teacher that every student needs! She encourages her students to dream big and teaches them to shine. Listen to the advice she shares on how you can do the same. Connect with Melissa on Instagram Connect with Jackie on Instagram

Mandie Sherman has Cystic Fibrosis but that doesn't hold her back from fully living and loving life. Mandie talks about what it is like to live with chronic illness, how it has shaped her perspective on life, and how we can support friends with chronic illness. Find Mandie on Instagram or her Website Find me on Instagram 

On this episode I am talking with Andrea Sorensen. Even though we all have different experiences, I believe we still have similar emotions. Andrea grew up with an alcoholic father and a mother that was addicted to opioids. Maybe this isn't your story. But, have you ever felt alone, or scared or confused? Have you ever felt there was no hope? Are you looking for joy? Andrea experienced all these emotions and today she is sharing how she was able to find peace despite her circumstances. Connect with Andrea on Instagram or at https://www.andreajeansorensen.com Connect with Jackie on Instagram

How many 14-year old girls can deal with all the everyday teenage drama plus experience having their dad pass away in horrific circumstances, see their mom get remarried, divorced, and remarried again and say they wouldn't change a thing in their lives? Bostyn and Bailey Corrigan are hands down the strongest girls I have ever come across. Listening to them has completely changed my outlook on hard times. You will love these 2 beautiful girls! Follow along with their family's story on Instagram, The Moments We Stand Follow along with Supergirls Podcast on Instagram

Find show notes on Episode 14.  

Today I'm just sharing a little clip from a previous interview, Episode 31-" When You Feel All Alone, Even in a Group" with Sara Hodges. This month as I've been recording different interviews, talking with Kristen Coltrin about suicide prevention and Amber Robbins about cheering on our peers and a few other interviews that I haven't shared yet, I noticed that they all talked about the power of connecting with others. I've been thinking a lot about this. We are more alike than we sometimes realize and we need to take those similarities to connect with others. If you are feeling lonely, I promise you that there's other girls out there feeling lonely too. Or maybe you don't feel lonely. If this is the case, consider yourself lucky because I can guarantee you there are those that do and they need you. If we all just take a little time to understand others better I really believe that our friendships would be stronger and we would be happier. Sara wrote this meditation called, "The Girl Sitting Next to You" and shared it in episode 31 and I just feel like it needs shared again. If you want to dive deeper into this subject I encourage you to go back and listen to the full episode, but otherwise, just find a quiet place and close your eyes and listen to this and think of the girl that sits next to you in class or the girl at another lunch table or the girl that maybe you were best friends with in elementary school but as you've gotten older you have drifted apart. Think of someone you can reach out to this week and let them know that they are seen. 

What would you think if your parents came to you and said you were going to leave your home and your friends and everything familiar and live on a boat and travel the Caribbean for a year? That's exactly what happened to Karina and SJ Orton. Listen to hear about their experiences, what it's like living on a boat with 7 people, how it changed them and how they are continuing to make adventure part of their lives. Read more about their journey in their parent's book Seven at Sea. See more from Karina on Instagram

Pornography. Maybe this seems like a boy's problem. So why am I talking about it on a teen girl's podcast? According to Dr. Tim Hollingshead, founder and author of Freein13, the fastest growing demographic of pornography viewing is women. Why is this an issue? Lots of reasons but a big one being, these are our future mothers. After years of working as an ecclesiastical leader and seeing the harmful effects of viewing pornography in those he counseled, Dr. Tim created a manual and website to help us get our loved ones back by escaping the pornography trap. Today he is talking about how pornography addictions start, the dangers of viewing it, and how to lessen our exposure when it is everywhere. As I went back through the interview to edit it, I found myself saying over and over to Dr. Tim's comments, "That's scary." It is scary. It's easy to want to throw away our phones and lock ourselves in our rooms. That isn't a realistic solution though. Instead we need to be aware. Pornography is everything that love isn't. It's fake, degrading and harmful. Girls, remember this. Parent's talk to your kids about this- your sons AND DAUGHTERS. This isn't just a boy problem. Find our more from FreeIn13 and connect with them on Instagram. Connect with me on Instagram

Depression, anxiety, suicide, stress, low self esteem and loneliness all seem to be on the rise. Is there anything we can do about it? What if we were to deliberately look outside ourselves and try to see those that need a little encouragement? What if we spent our time cheering our peers on? Today, Amber Robbins, from TeenTake30 is sharing SIMPLE ways that we can cheer others on and make a difference for them. What I really loved about Amber's tips is they are totally doable. They don't take tons of time, you can do them if you are outgoing, you can do them if you are more reserved. We absolutely can make a difference for others. Listen to find out how. Connect with Amber: Instagram Connect with Jackie: Instagram

September is National Suicide Awareness Month. I know this is a tough topic to talk about but also a topic we need to talk about. For whatever reasons it seems to be more common and it's time we understood it more. Is there anything we can do to prevent suicide? Kristen Coltrin works for the National Suicide Prevention Line and today she is sharing warning signs, risk factors, and most importantly, HOW TO GET HELP. Often times suicide or suicide attempts can be connected to, 1. Feeling like a burden, 2. Lack of feeling connected, or 3. Lack of belonging, so Kristen wants to share ways we can connect with and include others. National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 Connect with Jackie Instagram

Today I'm joined by best friends, Cami Schlerf and Haley Bekker. Cami and Haley and preparing to head to college in a few weeks and they are sharing their thoughts on high school today- what they learned, favorite memories, what they wish they had done differently, how they managed their time, best dates and more. Connect with Jackie on Instagram

It's that time of year when a lot of kids are getting ready to leave home for the first time. Maybe they are going off to college. Maybe they got a job and their own apartment. Whatever the circumstances, here's a few tips to make the transition easier. We are talking about everything from laundry, to getting along with roommates, to an easy way to measure shortening (because honestly, who wants to to clean a measuring cup coated in shortening?). Other things referenced: Beginning Cooking Tips, Supergirls Podcast Episode 24 How to Be a Kitchen Rockstar Shout Color Catchers Connect with Jackie on Instagram

Life Coach, Kristen Goodman loves to work with mothers of teens (that's a lot of YOU!) because she believes that teaching you the skills to be a more confident parent, and helping you get rid of guilt, will help you love your life AND your teen and raise more confident teens. Today she is sharing how to combat that totally normal back to school anxiety we have all felt. Get a free coaching session from Kristen or connect with her on Instagram. Connect with Jackie on Instagram

Today's Supergirl is 20 year old Whittley Norton. Whittley's perspective on life, family and faith is incredible! At 10 years old Whittley was removed from her home and put into a group home after years of abuse. After 9 years of living in different group homes and foster homes she finally got her forever family. Listen to find out what this meant to her and what she has learned from these experiences.  Do you feel called to help? Check out Big Brothers Big Sister of America. Find more from Whittley: Instagram More about Jackie and Supergirls Podcast: Instagram

Our THOUGHTS become our FEELINGS that then become our ACTIONS that become HABITS that then become our CHARACTER. Today Christy Watson is teaching us how we can use this formula to change our perceptions of our body image. Watch the Dove Commerical Christy refers to. Connect with Christy on Instagram Connect with Jackie on Instagram

I love talking to teens hearing their perspectives on things. 19 year old Alli Trendler has great perspective on not looking back on closed doors and seemingly lost opportunities because closed doors mean a new door and new opportunities are coming. Listen to her experiences where she discovered this. Connect with Jackie on Instagram

I am pretty sure I was the last person on the planet to hear of Ashley Reeves from Ashley's Fresh Fix. Am I right? Do you know her? If not you need to. She is a power house! I love the messages she shares about body image and self love and healthy living and so much more. Today she is talking about 10 things she wishes she knew when she was a teen. Connect with Ashley on Instagram Connect with Jackie on Instagram

Today I am talking with Jaime Wilkins, Life Coach and host of the podcast Sincerely Satisfied. Jaime shares a tender story from her teen years about a time she was able to help a friend and another time when she was not able to help that same friend and how she felt about herself when she couldn't help him.   Connect with Jaime Connect with Jackie

On today's podcast I am talking with Sita Kinikini. Sita writes music and sings, plays tennis and loves to travel. She is full blooded Tongan with a rich heritage. These are just parts of her. They don't define her. Sita is also gay. This is just another small part of her that doesn't define her. This is not a discussion on whether homosexuality is right or wrong. This is a discussion on how we need to treat everyone with kindness and respect. Sita shares the shame she felt when she realized her preferences were different than those of her friends. She shares the fears she experienced before coming out and how people reacted once she did come out. It broke my heart when she described feeling like a monster and didn't want anyone to know she was gay. Maybe this is something you can relate to. Or maybe you have a friend or loved one in a similar situation. I think it is important to have conversations about topics that scare us or make us uncomfortable to raise awareness. There is a lot of research that shows increased depression and death by suicide among members of the LBGTQ community. I believe however that we can help this by treating everyone with love, kindness and respect. Connect with me: Instagram

Fernanda, originally from Monterrey, Mexico, has lived in Idaho for the past 9 months as an exchange student. I had to much fun sitting down with her and talking about her experience living here and how teen life here compared to Mexico. Interested in becoming or hosting an exchange student? Check out NorthWest Student Exchange Connect with Jackie on Instagram

Have your parents ever told you, "I was a teenager once. I know exactly what you are going through." Did you believe them when they said it? I sat down with my sweet friend Alta this week and asked her what it was like to be a teenager over 70 years ago! A lot has changed since then but I learned that some things will never change. As she talked about balancing an after school job with homework and maintaining a social life, tests, difficult teachers and bargaining with her mom for a later curfew I realized we are more alike than we might think and we can learn so much from other's experiences. Listening to Alta share her stories was so much fun! I loved hearing about the time she delivered a baby when she was in the 10th grade, why her underwear often said "Pillsbury" on them and what it was like to travel to school in the "Pig Wagon". I especially loved hearing what someone with 89 years of life experience wishes she had done differently when she was a teen. Connect with Jackie on Instagram

How does knowing where you came from give you an identity? Can we gain strength from the experiences of those that went before us? Today Carolynn Reynolds is sharing her love of Family History and talking about how learning about her ancestors has blessed her. Connect with Carolynn: Season for Family, Instagram, Branches Art Connect with Jackie: Instagram

If it were up to me Katie Cheesman would win the award for the best content published on the Internet! Katie started The Listening Ear Project where she interviews the elderly and uses video to document their life stories. I LOVE every video she publishes! After interviewing nearly 100 elderly people I asked Katie what she has learned that would have helped her when she was a teen. Listen to hear what she said.   Connect with Katie  Instagram  Facebook Connect with Jackie Instagram

Tiffany Fletcher is the author of the book "Mother Had a Secret" and I'm pretty sure she is one of the strongest women I have ever spoken with. Her story is an incredible lesson of love, hope, forgiveness and resiliency. Tiffany's mother suffered from Dissociated Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder) and because of this Tiffany and her siblings experienced a childhood of abuse and fear. Listen to find out how Tiffany found hope and healing and was able to change the way she saw her story. She said, "No longer was I the abused daughter of a mentally ill mother. I was the daughter of a mother that loved me so much, even through her own brokenness, she saved me." Find out more about Tiffany on her website and watch the heart rending video presentation of her story Storms of the Mind. Find Tiffany's book "Mother Had a Secret".  Get help if you or a loved one are struggling with Mental Illness: National Alliance of Mental Illness Psychology Today National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 National Crisis Text Line   text 741741 Connect with Jackie on Instagram.

Kelly Thompson had her first taste of alcohol early in her teen years and describes being addicted from that first time. This led to further addictions with drugs, prostitution and eventually losing her family. For years Kelly wanted to change, and even tried several times, but because she  didn't feel like she was worthy of anything better it didn't last- until now. Listen to find out what finally led Kelly to recovery. Now Kelly is sharing her story to help others see that it is never to late to change. Connect with Kelly on Instagram  Connect with Jackie on Instagram

Jamie Hutchings was diagnosed with Leukemia when she was 9 years old. Even though the recovery rate was only 20% she miraculously survived. However, many of her friends with cancer did not and Jamie began to experience Survivor's Guilt and Post Traumatic Stress. After being in the dark for many years Jamie found happiness again is now sharing her story and message of hope. Find more from Jamie on her blog, Surviving the Bubble, or on Instagram. Find out more about me and Supergirls Podcast on Instagram.

Have you ever been in a room where you knew everyone, yet you still felt completely alone? This is a question today's guest, Sara Hodges, asked that I think we can all relate to. I have been asked for advice on making friends and fitting in more than any other topic and today Sara is talking about some of the reasons this can be difficult to do and how to get past those difficulties.   Connect with Jackie on Instagram

Anxiety can be uncomfortable and scary, anxiety can make us feel like we aren't good enough. Did you know though that anxiety can also be a good thing though? Today on Episode 30 of Supergirls Podcast, Psychologist, Dr. Daniel Gibson is talking about all of these things and how to control anxiety.   Connect with me on Instagram  

Sometimes you just don't feel like a Supergirl. Maybe you are just having a rough day or maybe you don't feel like you are good enough. Today I'm sharing a few tips that will hopefully help you feel a little better.

Today I am talking to a real live Disney Princess... or at least someone who worked as one when she was 19. Becky Proudfit was living her dream when she was hired by Disney- and then when she was cast as Cinderella- well, just imagine. What little girl wouldn't think she had gone to heaven with a job like that? Today Becky is sharing what she learned from her job including thoughts about self esteem and helping others feel their best. Spoiler alert- it wasn't the costume and makeup and adoring fans that made her feel like a princess everyday.   Becky is the co-host of the podcast Cultivate a Good Life and she shares more of her light on Instagram. Connect with Jackie on Instagram.

Today on Supergirls Podcast I am talking with Monica Tanner, the founder of the nonprofit organization Just Do Some Good and host of the podcast On the Brighter Side. Monica is talking all about service today- the benefits, how to find service projects and fun service ideas you can do with your friends.  Connect with Monica: Facebook Instagram Just Do Some Good Podcast Instagram Podcast Connect with Jackie: Instagram

Kadie Andreasen can pinpoint the exact moment she began struggling with anxiety- the night before the first day of her Sophomore year. She now describes it as occuring anytime "my imperfections don't meet my expectations." Sound familiar to anyone? Today on Episode 26 Kadie shares how anxiety manifests for her, how she treats it, what she has learned from it, how others support her and what she wishes she would have known as a teen.   Connect with Jackie Instagram

I know loving our bodies is something a lot of girls struggle with. Although I wish every girl could get to the point where she loved her body, I know that's asking a lot. But maybe we can at least start with not hating our bodies. Today on Episode 25 of Supergirls Podcast Chanelle Neilson, the host of Moms Who Know Podcast is talking about her struggles with disordered eating starting in Junior High and continuing through her early adult life and how she came to not hate her body.   Connect with Chanelle: Instagram Connect with Jackie: Instagram