TeenPOD - Practicing Open Dialogue

Virginia and James discuss the "VIBE" and why they do what they do, who their audience is, and what they hope to accomplish. Give a listen and vibe with us. #VIBEthePOD #StillwaterChurch https://www.VibeThePod.com

Virginia and James are pleased to introduce Trae Weeks, our newest team member. Trae is a recent high school graduate, attending college in the fall of 2024. Trae plans to become a pastor after graduation. In the meantime, he's growing a new college ministry, VIBE, at Stillwater Church in Saraland, AL. #VIBEthePOD #StillwaterChurch https://www.VibeThePod.com

Episode 25: Wisdom Wednesday with Virginia "Teen Series pt.4: Science shows a high correlation between low self-esteem and risky behaviors." The relation between self-confidence and risk-taking among the students https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6432809/ Characteristics Associated with Low Self-esteem among U.S. Adolescents https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2914631/ Low Self-Esteem in Adolescents: What Are the Root Causes? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inside-out-outside-in/202206/low-self-esteem-in-adolescents-what-are-the-root-causes Teens and Risky Behaviors https://www.hopkinsallchildrens.org/ACH-News/General-News/Teens-and-Risky-Behaviors Youth at Risk 7th Edition: A Prevention Resource for Counselors, Teachers & Parents (Paperback book available on Amazon)  For additional resources: MyTeenPOD.com

Episode 24: Wisdom Wednesday with Virginia: "Teen Series pt.3 - Effective means of punishment and behavioral modification." Local resource for parents at One More Moment: onemoremoment.net For additional resources, visit us online at MyTeenPOD.com

Episode 23: Wisdom Wednesday with Virginia: "Teen Series pt.2 - Set reasonable boundaries on electronics to further success in life." Visit us at MyTeenPOD.com for more resources

Episode 22: Wisdom Wednesday with Virginia: "Teen Series pt. 1 - General tips for parents and caregivers" Check us on at MyTeenPOD.com

Episode 21: Wisdom Wednesday with Virginia: "Suicide Prevention: insight into a young person's distress" Check us out at myteenpod.com

Episode 20: Wisdom Wednesday with Virginia: "Depression symptoms can be physical." Check us on at myteenpod.com For free worksheets: therapistaid.com

Episode 19: Wisdom Wednesday with Virginia: "We weren't born good communicators...communication is learned." Check us on at myteenpod.com

Episode 18: Wisdom Wednesday with Virginia, "Achieving happiness by aligning our actions with our values" For more resources, check out myteenpod.com

Episode 17: Wisdom Wednesday with Virginia: Reading of poem "From a girl who's been mean." By Virginia Inge Gordon

Episode 16: “Fruitful discussion on nutrition and wellness with Registered Dietitian, Claris Perkins.” Claris recommends typing in key words on Pinterest for great easy recipes: “Quick healthy summer dinner” “One pan dinner” “Sheet pan meals” She notes getting the vegetable produce that tastes best seasonally (noting that potatoes, zucchini, & squash taste best in the summer)! Claris encourages visiting myplate.gov for a surplus of resources, including free handouts, related to nutrition! Check us out on myteenpod.com

Episode 15: Unveiling disordered eating with insight, self-reflection, and encouragement. Check us out at myteenpod.com www.nationaleatingdisorders.org Meme || Living Well Kitchen: https://smart.bio/memeinge/ Overeaters Anonymous: https://oa.org/ Noteable Eating Disorder Treatment Centers in Alabama: Alsana Birmingham - Residential Magnolia Creek - Residential, Adolescent Program Available Highly Recommended Books: DBT solution for emotional eating by Safer, D. Adler, S., & Masson, P. (2018). The intuitive eating workbook: Ten principles for nourishing a healthy relationship with food by Tribole, E., & Resch, E. (2017).

Episode 14: Wisdom Wednesday with Virginia: "Deciding on what is more manageable and adaptable...Progress or perfection?" Check us out on myteenpod.com

Episode 13: Wisdom Wednesday with James. "Building positive thinking patterns without superstitious magic or spells!"

Episode 12: Wisdom Wednesday with Virginia. “Maternal mental health is important to consider… Help is available!” If you or someone you know is struggling, there is great  information at www.thebluedotproject.org and www.postpartum.net

Episode 11: Wisdom Wednesday with James. “Navigating the struggles of young adulthood… Look out for signs that you need support.” Entering adulthood can be an emotional time, but sometimes the ups and downs can mean something more. If you've noticed someone in your life showing signs of a mental or substance use disorder, the first thing you should do is talk to them. Asking for help is a normal part of life. You can find support at SAMHSA.gov/young-adults or call 1-800-662-HELP for treatment referral.

What Motivates You and Where Do You Seek Approval? Episode 10: Wisdom Wednesday with James. “Your value transcends social media likes. Discover a purpose beyond yourself!” Check out MyTeenPOD.com

Episode 9: Wisdom Wednesday with Virginia, “Being mindful of perfectionistic tendencies, and how they don't do us any favors.”

Episode 8: Wisdom Wednesday with Virginia. “Drawing out the positive: Tell me something new and good that happened today.” Check out MyTeenPOD.com

Hannah Straszheim paints an adolescent picture of addiction, struggles, setbacks and overcoming obstacles in this episode of TeenPOD. Hannah speaks to the listener as a survivor of her former environments. Virginia offers a counselor's insight for this emotional story of Hannah's success.

Trell Griffin shares his motivations on TeenPOD this week. Trell, a former college athlete and current fitness coach, details his life path and what has tried to hold his dreams back. He and Virginia weave their faith throughout this very motivational episode.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people 10-34 according to the most recent report by the CDC. In this week's episode, a high school teacher who works in northern Alabama joins her long-time pal Virginia Gordon (Upper School Counselor). Elizabeth Anne (EA) McGowin shares her own experience over the past 11 years in the school system making sure that every student she teachers knows that they have a voice in her classroom. She explains how she has gained knowledge about suicide prevention through trainings annually on how to watch for suicide risk factors among her teenage students, and outlines creative ways in which she strives to promote positive connections and belonging in her classroom. As friends and colleagues, Virginia and EA hold a heart felt discussion about a 2021 research study on teen sadness since the COVID-19 pandemic. By being the change we want to see, EA explains how an accepting culture can be cultivated. Advice is shared for all, especially young people, to discover a purpose beyond themselves that contributes to the wellbeing of students and community. These two frontline workers speak plainly about how they strive to help youth who may be suffering in silence, and agree that the biggest weapon that can be used to overcome darkness is HOPE! Resources accessible 24/7: 988 new suicide prevention lifeline 741-741 crisis text line Erikaslighthouse.org

For this special episode, Virginia is joined by Quinn Currie who holds a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and has over one year's worth of experience in the field. He humbly shares his experience meeting goals consistently and leading a beautification service project in Saraland, AL to successfully meet all requirements in becoming an Eagle Scout. Several important topics are discussed including achievement pressure, not mistaking identity with performance, and finding people who inspire you. Encouragement is provided to listeners that one's life story doesn't stop with failure, and sometimes it even gets better!

This week Virginia Gordon is joined by Kailee Brauers who shares about her journey deepening her faith as a Christian and in doing so, strengthening her self-esteem. Kailee and Virginia reflect on biblical scripture on what God says about a person's worth. Kailee shares challenges faced when comparing herself to others, particularly with her twin sister while in the 8th and 9th grade. She describes transformative power she experienced when receiving the love of God later on in high school at a non-denominational church. Virginia encourages all young peoples' quest in discovering their beliefs spiritually, and shares her own journey in her early twenties when wrestling with her faith while serving the South East Asian population in Bayou La Batre, Al. Kailee Brauers has been a nanny in Mobile for over the past year, loving her role as a care giver to children and devoting herself to helping others. Episode notes: "The Power of Regret" by Daniel H. Pink https://www.danpink.com/the-power-of-regret/ Daniel Pink did research on regret on how it can be used for cultivating meaning and connection rather than getting stuck in a place of despair.

Jakayla Armstrong meets with licensed professional counselor, Virginia Gordon, to share her journey in becoming the first black female Eagle Scout in the state of Alabama. She describes her intentionally developing confidence within herself as a young person with big dreams. Jakayla shares that surrounding herself with positive people who speak life-giving messages has been a key to her success as a high achiever. Most of all, she believes sharing some of her story will bring hope to others as they pursue what they love. Episode notes: Maverick City Music "Promises"

For more information, MyTeenPOD.com Songs we referenced: Redbone - Come and Get Your Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj0drevGOgA Nik Kershaw - Wouldn't It Be Good https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLF1FgyRLkk