Teen Esteem Council Podcast

As a teen, are you a free spender or are you someone who puts money away for college or other big purchases? What do you spend your money on? Our topic today revolves around money and how teens value and use money. Mat and Summer disagree a little about what it means to waste money... Is going to a football game with your friends wasting money? Is going to concerts wasting money? Listen to find out what the Council has to say about those questions. 

"Why is it that when  child is born, we call it the miracle of life, but then go on to accept mediacrity for our own lives" Hal Elrod - The Miracle Morning This quote was the catalyst for our conversation on today's episode of the podcast. In this episode we share four ways that you can overcome mediocrity.

High schools start on Monday around these parts and with some of them taking 9th graders, there are going to be thousands of students who are experiencing their first year of high school. Mat and Summer sit down with Morgan and talk about how she feels about her first year of high school.

In this episode we discuss the all important PE class. What do our listeners learn in PE? We don't know. Chantel shares a little of her PE experience and we discuss the importance of physical exercise and the impact that it can have on your attitude and your learning. Referenced in this podcast is the book Spark which can be purchased here.

In today's podcast we talk about tips for surviving your senior year of high school.

We forget how many times responsibility has been a topic for our podcast. But we keep seeing people NOT beng responsible, or taking responsibility for their actions that we feel like it is worth discussing again. Some topics just need reemphasizing.  We discuss the importance of being accountable, that consequences isn't necessarily a bad word, and how being responsible can increase your trust in yourself and the level of trust that others have for you. What are some ways that you show responsibility as a teen? Let us know in the comments. PS We are now on the Android podcasting app called Stitcher. Find us there to download our podcasts to your Android phone.

Are you looking for a good teen romance movie to watch as you pass time during your summer vacation? Mat and Summer discuss a list of the top ten teen movie romances. We recommend most of these movies.

Some of our listeners are in that no man's land of the last summer vacation before college starts. The one right after graduating high school. I have asked a few of the kids that I know if this summer seems different. They have all said, "no" so far... but, the article that we discuss today shares some things that you can give up after you are through with high school... and for those who are still in high school and middle school, good news, you can apply a lot of these right now if you choose to.

During our last episode we talked about a summer reading list... How can you read the most books possible during your summer break?... Learn to speed read. Today Mat gives some of the speed reading strategies that he has learned throughout the years. Margan references some cool speed reading technology that you can access through phone apps. For more information head to this website... http://www.spritzinc.com/ Or this website http://www.spreeder.com/

What are you going to read this summer? Have you thought about it? Did you plan on watching a lot of TV? In this episode of the Teen Esteem Council Podcast we talk about favorite books that we have read or are reading. The consensus is that reading a book series is pretty great. Listen for a list of ideas of great book series that you could start reading.

We are excited to introduce our new Council member... Morgan. She is a tremendous girl who has a lot of insight and who has a lot to offer to our audience. And with that introduction, let me introduce today's episode: Nothing to do this summer... Start a business. Bored... Get to know yourself We are talking about things that teens, who don't have a job, can do over the summer. The topic for today's podcast comes from this Wall Stree Journal article: What Jobless Teens Could Be Doing This Summer. 

We put Emily on the spot to guess what the new peer pressure is... she guessed it... social media. In this most recent episode we talk about how to navigate through the pressures that social media has created. 

Today Mat and Summer disagree about the nature of laziness, then one of them is convinced that they were wrong. We also give some tips on how to overcome laziness and what some of the benefits of being productive are.

It has been a little while... we are back. Life was a little crazy for all of us over the last couple of months. Summer had a baby, McKenzee and Emily were elected to student council, and Chantel has been working and singing her guts out. We carved out some time to record a podcast today and feels good to be back in the saddle, so to speak. What is that you ask? What has been keeping me so busy?... Just work and making homeade yogurt. No big deal. Today we talk about how being away from home can help build self esteem and independence. It is a great conversation about finding your true self and taking responsibility for your life.

Today Summer and I discuss what happens to the way we feel when we say negative things about other people.

Today,  Summer and I talk about how you can boost your confidence. We try to keep it non-cheesy, but Summer struggles to do that. That being said, just because some of her advice is cheesy does not mean that it doesn't work.

Today Mat and Summer talk about how you can tactfully end a friendship that you have realized is unhealthy for you.

Today's podcast is for those of our listeners who are of dating age, but haven't had the experience of being asked out yet. There is some great discussion about what a girl can do if they find themselves in this circumstance.

Today's podcast is a quick discussion about building a vocabulary that can help you describe how you are feeling. Sometimes just being able to put our feelings into precise words can help others understand and help us to feel understood.

Today's topic is about attitudes that pre-teens (Summer defines them as 8-12... I think she is crazy) show. The article that she takes the idea from is letting parents know how to deal with these attitudes. We try to give some advice to our younger listeners and to older siblings.

I recently read an article describing 5 signs that you could be a happier person. I thought that was pretty negative and thought our council members would be able to share some ideas about how to overcome those 5 signs... if they are showing up in your life.

The title of the article that prompted our discussion for today's podcast is 'Self-Control Depletion May Actually Be Shifting Of Priorities, Study Suggests'. What? While I have read the article and still wonder exactly what 'Self-Control Depletion' is, I was intrigued by the last paragraph. There is a list of five things that studies have shown to increase self-control. Listent to the podcast to find out what they are and what the TEC has to say about them.

Summer has a pet peeve. It is when people post way personal stuff on Facebook. She goes off a little bit and all of the council shares where they think the line is as far as what is appropriate to post on social media.

It has been two months since our last podcast. Hopefully you did not think that we were going away for good? Our lives just got a little crazy during the months on November and December, but now we are back. There are many teens, and I support totally support this, that choose not to have a steady boyfriend or girlfriend. The question is then, "What do I do when I have intense feelings for someone and want to be with them, but know that it is moving too fast?" Today we give our listeners some answers to this question.

Have you ever been thinking about something that would make the world a better place, if it only existed? The Teen Esteem Council spent a few minutes talking about the inventions that the world needs right now.

The new phenominon that is growing among teens... e-cigarettes. Today we talk about why using e-cigarettes is not a good idea, especially for teens.

In today's podcast Chantel tells the story of how using a clicker, or a counter, has been able to help her develop a more positive attitude.

Today Mat and Summer get back into podcasting action as they talk about Paul Tough's book How Children Succeed: Grit Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character. They discuss how character, which is something that can't be measured on standardized tests, is what really determines the success of a student throughout life. They also discuss how you can use your schoolwork to develop a better character.

This is way outdated and was recorded a few weeks ago and I am just getting it posted. I apologize for that.

Summer and I both did not want to talk about Miley Cyrus on our podcast... but, as we were discussing our reactions to her performance and were discussing the reactions that others had to her performance, we decided that we must. Join us as discuss layer after layer of commentary on Miley Cyrus.

As the administrator of a school, there are many times when students try to lie in order to, either get away with something, or to not get in trouble. Today we talk about why being honest is a better philosophy than lieing... even if there is a consequence looming.

School is starting up again... That means getting up early, homework, and having to maintain relationships. Today Summer and I discuss a couple of items from the media, an article and a video, that can help you from your thinking as you head back to school. Here are links to the article and the video. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/britchick-paris/the-ugly-little-girl_b_3743195.html?utm_hp_ref=teen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNXwKGZHmDc

I think that everyone has had the experience of wanting something very badly, then being disappointed when it doesn't happen. Today we talk about the benefits of becoming unattached to the outcome that you are desiring. This does not mean that you stop caring about things, but that because you don't need the outcome, you can remain more peaceful and happy as you work toward your goals.

There are a coupld of questions that we discuss on today's podcast.  Is it possible for a girl and a guy to really 'just be friends', or does one of the two have more romantic feelings toward the other? The council is divided on the answer to this question. Is it possible for a guy and a girl who have already been in a relationship to remain friends? I make a complete 180 degree turn in my opinion during this podcast. Listen to the conversation that comes on the heels of one of our council members who recently broke up with her boyfriend.

Do you have a list of things that you want to do or accomplish floating around in your head? Well, WRITE IT DOWN! Today we talk about the importance of writing down our goals and the things we would like to do or have. We also share some of the things that are on our own bucket lists.

Do you have a movie rating tolerance? What goes into your decision about whether or not a movie is appropriate for you? Today our council members talk about how they decide what content they are ok with and what they are not ok with when they go to see a movie. 

Sometimes we worry too much about what other people think about us. That worry can keep us from feeling confident about ourselves or can keep us from developing relationships with others. Today we discuss a few ways to manage that worry. 

School is out and summer vacations has begun. Some of our listeners will be looking for summer jobs in order to earn some extra money. This podcast is aimed at giving you some tips for looking for the job you desire.

We start out talking about gift ideas, but then we get a little off and end up talking about my childhood and I have a little advice for those who may be celebrating Father's Day without a dad around. So for those of you who have a father around, or don't, there is something valuable for you on today's podcast.

Summer vacation has started for many of our listeners, and we spend a few minutes talking about some fun ideas that can keep you entertained for the next few weeks. My favorite is to do some online math to keep your math skills fresh.

Today we discuss how to avoid the awkward silence when you are on a date or talking on the phone. We also talk about the new phenominon of the awkward silence in a txt or facebook conversation.

We have talked about internet safety before, but as social media evolves so do the hazards of spending time online. Today we talk about one social media site cal omegle.com. It is a site where people go to talk to complete strangers. As with most social media sites, on the surface this is not necessarily bad, but there are potential hazards. We talk about what those hazards are and we share steps that our council members have taken to keep themselves safe on the internet. We apologize that the audio on this podcast is not ideal.

The sun is shining more, the days are longer, and the thoughts of summer vacation are filling the minds of students all over the country. Mat and Summer talk about some of the reasons that people can start to act differently when there is a change from dreary winter to a bright spring.

We have all been angry and held on to that anger for too long. This podcast talks about why letting go of grudges is the best thing that you can do for yourself.

A few years ago we had a conversation about teen girls and how they often have strained relationships with their mothers. Today we decided to do the opposite and talk about relationships between moms and teen girls that get along with each other. McKenzee shares how she keeps the great relationship that she has with her mom going and gives some tips on how you can have a great relationship with your mom too.

This piece of advice is commonly given. "Just kill them with kindness." Today we talk about whether or not this advice really works.

Today we go way back to the very beginning of our podcast. We are talking about paradigms and worldviews. What ideas do you have about the way the world works is holding you back from doing things that you really want to do and having things that you would really like to have? Most of think that the way we see the world is the way that the world is. We actually see the world the way that WE are. Today we talk about why understanding that truth is important to your happiness.

Last week we discussed how you can be happy without having a boyfriend. One of the suggestions from that podcasts was to focus on your own talents and interests. You may be asking, "What if I don't know what my talents are?" We are going to give you some suggestions on how you can discover them. One hint: You may be surprised that the things that are easy for you are probably things that people that recognize as your talents... start looking there.

Last week we talked about how you can be happy without having a boyfriend. This week a few members of the Council get together to discuss the importance of being happy for others. We also talk about why it can be hard to be happy for others when good things happen for them in their lives. McKenzee and Chantel share some moments that they have experienced recently where it was difficult for them to choose to be happy for the other person. One thing that is important that is pointed out in today's podcast is that it is OK to be disappointed and still be happy for the other person. Send us your stories of when someone that you know experienced success and you were really happy for them.

*NOTICE* Do not be alarmed by the cackling laugh that Summer does at the beginning of this podcast. Nor at any of the other odd behavior that is exhibited by the podcast members. We thought it would be fun to give each of the members a 'curse' that they had to do throughout the podcast.  Just FYI, the curses came from a game called Curses which can be purchased here. Even though we are joking about the curses... we are really serious about out topic. Everytime we talk to teen girls and ask them about the challenges that teen girls face, boys are always on the list of the top 3. So, today we wanted to share some insights that can help you be happy, even if, or especially if you don't have a boyfriend.

Today is probably the most negative podcast that you will hear from the Teen Esteem Council. We were sitting around before we started recording and were talking about some of the things that bug us and we decided to record the conversation. So listen in to find out what bothers our girls, that you would never know, because they are too nice to say it out loud. There are some life lessons in there too.