Leaders of Today: From Teens to Titans

When Bad Behavior is a Leadership Test for Teens and Adults

What happens when we call teens “leaders”—especially those previously labeled as “troublemakers”? In this thought-provoking video, Lorraine Connell, founder of Peers Not Fears, explores how traditional leadership programs can unintentionally alienate the very teens they aim to empower.​

These teens have learned to expect rejection. When invited into leadership roles, their instinct may be to test boundaries—not out of defiance, but as a means to see if this new label truly fits. Lorraine challenges us to reconsider our reactions and to create spaces where pushing boundaries is met with understanding, not resistance.​

Key Takeaways:

• Redefining leadership as a responsibility, not a reward

• Understanding resistance as a form of trust-testing

• Creating environments that support growth through discomfort

• Emphasizing the role of adults in modeling flexibility and reflection​

Leadership development is a two-way street. By shifting our perspectives and responses, we can foster genuine growth and transformation in our teens—and in ourselves.​

Connect with Peers Not Fears:

• Website: www.peers-not-fears.com

• Instagram: @peersnotfears

• Facebook: Peers Not Fears​

Join the conversation and discover how to support the next generation of leaders with empathy and resilience.

Rewiring Anxiety: A Neuro Educator’s Guide to Confidence, Coping, and Change with Noel Foy

Episode Summary:
In this powerful and practical conversation, Lorraine Connell sits down with Noel Foy, a neuroeducator, executive function and anxiety coach, and author of A.B.C. Worry Free, to unpack the complicated relationship between anxiety, mindset, and learning. Noel opens up about her own journey with perfectionism and social anxiety and how those formative experiences shaped her work today with anxious students and overwhelmed parents.

Together, Lorraine and Noel explore how language shapes our mental health, why teens and adults alike often fear failure, and how reframing our thinking can empower better decision-making. They highlight actionable strategies to manage stress, build executive function skills, and use neuroplasticity to shift from a defensive to an empowered mindset.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or student, this episode is filled with insight and tools to navigate anxiety with compassion and clarity.

🎧 In this episode, we explore:

• Noel’s personal journey with anxiety, avoidance, and perfectionism

• How negative language impacts decision-making and self-perception

• The role of mindset and Carol Dweck’s research in education and coaching

• Tools like “cheat sheets,” mindfulness, and breathwork for anxious moments

• How neuroplasticity allows us to rewire habits and build coping skills

• Real-world applications of executive function strategies for families, educators, and kids

📘 Learn more about Noel’s work and her book A.B.C. Worry Free

🔗 Connect with Noel:
Website: Neuro Noel
Instagram: @neuronoel
LinkedIn: Noel Foy

🌟 Connect with Lorraine & Peers Not Fears:
Website: https://peersnotfears.com
Instagram: @peersnotfears
LinkedIn: Lorraine Connell
Book: A Teacher’s Story – Get your copy

🧠 Key Quote from Noel:
“Anxiety isn’t the enemy—it’s a signal. When we understand it, we can work with it instead of against it.”

What is the job of a Leadership Coach?

In today's fast-paced world, leadership isn't just for adults—it's a skill that begins in adolescence. Join Lorraine Connell, founder of Peers Not Fears, as she delves into the transformative power of teen leadership coaching. Discover how tailored coaching helps teens build confidence, enhance communication, and develop the resilience needed to lead in schools, communities, and future careers.​

What You'll Learn in This Video:

• The importance of identifying unique leadership strengths in teens

• Strategies to build practical confidence through real-life scenarios

• The value of collaborative leadership and teamwork

• How real-world opportunities solidify leadership skills

• The long-term benefits of leadership coaching for adolescent development​

Leadership coaching empowers teens to navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and inspire others. By investing in their development now, we set the foundation for a generation of empathetic and effective leaders.​

Connect with Peers Not Fears:

• Website: www.peers-not-fears.com

• Instagram: @peersnotfears

• Facebook: Peers Not Fears​

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on empowering the next generation of leaders.

Healing Through Resilience: A Conversation with Colleen Norris

Summary

In this conversation, Lorraine Connell speaks with Colleen Norris, a network spinal chiropractor and wellness expert, about her journey from a troubled teen to a resilient adult. Colleen shares her experiences with trauma, the importance of self-acceptance, and the healing techniques she employs to help herself and others. The discussion emphasizes the significance of awareness, challenging negative inner narratives, and the power of resilience in overcoming life's challenges. Colleen also highlights the importance of core values and offers advice for teens navigating their own struggles.

 

Takeaways

• Colleen's past trauma shaped her understanding of empathy.
• Resilience and perseverance are crucial for overcoming challenges.
• Awareness of our inner stories is the first step to healing.
• Challenging negative beliefs can lead to self-acceptance.
• Sports played a significant role in building Colleen's confidence.
• Core values help guide decisions and relationships.
• Healing is a lifelong journey, not limited to youth.
• Teen pressures can lead to trauma that affects adulthood.
• Self-love and acceptance are essential for mental health.
• It's never too late to start the healing process.

"Awareness is the first step to healing."

"We always find what we're looking for."

"You have the opportunity to heal."

"Self-acceptance is key to happiness."

"It's never too late to heal."

"You are enough, no matter what."

 

#ColleenNorris, #resilience, #trauma, #self-acceptance, #innerwork, #teenagestruggles, #chiropractic, #healing, #corevalues, #mentalhealth

How to truely listen to your teen: Building trust through open conversation

As a teen leadership coach and a parent of two teenage boys, I’ve seen firsthand the struggles teens face—and the frustrations parents feel trying to connect with them. From privacy concerns (like knocking before entering their rooms) to trust issues surrounding phones and social media, and even more serious challenges like vaping, the underlying issue always seems to come back to one question: How are we engaging with our teens?

 

 

 

I often hear parents say, “I get it—we had no training for this technology. We’re learning as we go, and we’re probably getting it wrong.” And that’s okay. What matters most is that we start listening—really listening—to our teens.

 

 

 

When Was the Last Time You Had a Real Conversation with Your Teen?

 

Not just the usual “How was your day?” followed by a one-word response. I mean a genuine, open-ended conversation where they felt heard and understood.

 

 

 

Many teens don’t feel comfortable talking to their parents because they’re afraid of how we’ll react. My 17-year-old shared that a lot of his friends feel trapped in vaping addictions but won’t talk to their parents out of fear. Instead of seeking help, they silently accept the health risks because they don’t believe their parents will support them—only punish them.

 

 

 

When my own son struggled with vaping, he told me he initially did it to fit in and to ease his anxiety. That terrified me. How could something so harmful be seen as a solution? Later, he admitted it was actually making things worse, but at the time, he knew telling me it helped with anxiety would make me listen. And it did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trusting Your Teen—Not to Be Perfect, But to Make Mistakes

 

Every child needs something different from their parents. One of my sons values privacy; the other benefited from having his door removed when he was struggling. It wasn’t about punishment—it was about connection and accountability. We have to trust our teens—not to always make the right choices, but to come to us when they don’t.

 

 

 

When my kids get in trouble at school, I don’t double down with additional punishments at home. I remember being grounded as a teen—it didn’t stop me from making mistakes, but it did teach me to hide them better. Instead of reacting based on fear or our own reputations, we need to help our teens navigate their mistakes and learn from them.

 

How Do You Want Me to Help You an Open Conversation?

 

Not every issue is life-threatening. Some are as small as not knocking before entering their room. Others, like phone usage and social media, are bigger. But in all cases, the key is to ask, listen, and engage.

 

Start by asking: How do you want me to help you figure this out?  How do you want me to listen to you?  How am I showing up for you?

 

 

 

As parents, we make the final decisions, but giving our teens a voice in the conversation makes all the difference. If we create a space where they feel safe to talk—where honesty is met with understanding instead of just consequences—they’ll be more likely to come to us when it matters.

 

 

 

I have found the biggest way to bring your teen home to talk to you is by being honest about your own mistakes. Show them that learning, growing, and making better choices is a lifelong process.

Empowering Youth and Building Leadership with Michael Nicolson

In this episode, Lorraine sits down with Michael Nicolson to discuss his journey in educational leadership, mentorship, and plans for the future. Michael shares insights on empowering youth through leadership roles and how he plans to build a podcast focusing on youth mentorship. Lorraine also offers valuable advice on interview strategies and building a supportive leadership environment.

Key Highlights:

1. Empowering Youth Through Leadership Roles
Michael talks about his commitment to empowering young people by helping them build leadership skills. He also shares his goal of launching a podcast and conducting 25 interviews, despite the balancing act between family and professional responsibilities.

2. Mentorship and Personal Growth
Lorraine and Michael dive into the impact mentorship has had on their personal journeys. Michael reflects on his own experiences with mentors, highlighting how leadership goes beyond athletics, and Lorraine shares how overcoming insecurities and trauma has shaped her leadership style.

3. Building Coaching Around Service
Both Lorraine and Michael emphasize the importance of creating coaching programs that are rooted in service and leadership. They discuss how helping others is transformative, not only for the person being helped but for the one offering support.

4. Serving Others and Personal Growth
Michael and Lorraine explore the intrinsic rewards of serving others. Michael shares how his own troubled home life inspired his desire to help those in need, while Lorraine compares serving others to lifting someone up, and in turn, lifting oneself.

5. The Power of Listening in Youth Mentorship
Michael and Lorraine discuss the critical role of listening in youth mentorship. Lorraine shares how shifting her approach from offering advice to simply listening has strengthened her relationships. They both agree that showing young people they are heard is essential to fostering trust and growth.

6. Evolving Definitions of Success and Leadership
Michael shares his evolving view of success, which has shifted from a materialistic focus to one centered around family and intentional parenting. He emphasizes the importance of shaping a loving, supportive environment for his child, and Lorraine resonates with his perspective on fulfillment and personal growth.

7. Gratitude, Self-Awareness, and Authenticity
The conversation wraps up with a focus on daily reflection, gratitude, and self-awareness. Michael shares how his family incorporates specific practices during meals to promote empathy, kindness, and adaptability. Lorraine agrees, highlighting the importance of authenticity and staying true to one’s values in leadership.

Resources:

• Michael Nicolson's upcoming podcast on youth leadership and mentorship
• Lorraine Connell's leadership programs and mentorship resources
• Books, articles, and tools on effective youth mentorship and leadership development

Tune in to learn more about how mentorship, vulnerability, and personal growth can shape the leaders of tomorrow.

Redefining Strength – Leesh Pike on Overcoming, Empowering, and Aligning with Purpose

In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Lorraine sits down with Leesh Pike—a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and former professional boxer turned women's health advocate. Together, they explore Leesh's journey from struggling with disordered eating, overtraining, and mental health challenges to becoming a coach who empowers women over 40 to build confidence, strength, and resilience—on their own terms.

Leesh shares how her teen years, marked by anorexia, depression, and the search for identity, shaped the work she does today. She opens up about the pressure to seek approval, her journey to self-love and healing, and how boxing became both an outlet and a lesson in knowing when to pivot. Now, she helps women reevaluate their values, align their goals, and find their power through fitness and nutrition.

Lorraine and Leesh also discuss the evolution of success, the importance of mental health support, and how parents and teens alike can benefit from redefining their relationship with achievement, health, and self-worth.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Leesh’s personal journey through disordered eating and overtraining

• How therapy, fitness, and self-reflection helped her build self-love

• The importance of aligning your goals with your values

• How societal expectations can distort our definition of success

• Tips for teens and parents navigating body image, mental health, and perfectionism

• Leesh’s transition from boxing to full-time coaching and her IVF journey

• How to access Leesh’s fitness, nutrition, and women’s wellness programs

About Leesh Pike:

Leesh is a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach based in Salisbury, MA, who works with clients virtually and in-person. She is passionate about helping women, especially those over 40, reconnect with their strength and embrace confidence without diet culture. She offers 1:1 coaching, custom programming, and a 30-day holistic women’s wellness program.

Connect with Leesh:

• 💻 Website: https://www.leeshpikefitness.com/

• 📸 Instagram: @leeshpikefitness

• 📧 Coaching Info & Inquiries: leeshpike@gmail.com

Resources & Mentions:

• Lorraine's teen leadership coaching programs at www.peersnotfears.com

---

Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share Leaders of Today: From Teens to Titans. Every listen helps amplify the voices of those transforming challenges into change.

 

From Chemistry to Leadership: My Journey to Empowering Teens

In this episode of Leaders of Today, I share my personal journey from teaching chemistry to coaching young leaders. What started as a career in science turned into a calling—helping students discover their own leadership potential.

I reflect on the pivotal moments that led me to create Peers Not Fears and the lessons I’ve learned along the way:

• How my experiences as a high school teacher revealed the hidden leadership potential in students
• The challenges and rewards of stepping away from traditional education to focus on leadership coaching
• Why leadership isn’t about being born with certain traits but about intentional growth, practice, and resilience
• The impact of Peers Not Fears and how it’s helping students recognize their voices and build confidence

Whether you're an educator, a parent, or someone passionate about youth empowerment, this episode is for you. Leadership isn't just for a select few—it’s a skill that can be nurtured in every young person.

🎧 Listen now and be inspired to see leadership in a new way!

Connect with me:
🌍 Website: Peers Not Fears
📸 Instagram: @peersnotfears
🔗 LinkedIn: Lorraine Connell

From Loneliness to Leadership: Diane Sorensen’s Journey of Self-Worth and Connection

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, Lorraine sits down with Diane to explore her powerful journey from a shy and approval-seeking teen to a compassionate advocate for children, families, and conscious parenting. Diane opens up about the struggles she faced with loneliness, perfectionism, and inherited patterns of fear—and how she transformed those challenges into her life’s purpose.

Together, Lorraine and Diane discuss the importance of creating safe spaces for teens, redefining leadership, and the critical role self-awareness plays in parenting. Diane shares candid insights into her own parenting journey, including how her daughter’s struggles became a mirror for her own healing and how that led to deeper emotional connection and growth.

This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership starts within—and that by embracing vulnerability, breaking generational patterns, and showing up authentically, we can create meaningful change for the next generation.

---

What You’ll Learn:

• How Diane’s early experiences with loneliness and fear of disapproval shaped her identity

• The dangers of perfectionism and the approval trap—and how to break free

• Why self-reflection is essential for conscious parenting

• How emotional acceptance can heal relationships and build deeper connections

• The evolving definition of leadership and how teens can lead without fitting a mold

• The importance of mistakes in personal growth and resilience

---

Resources Mentioned:

• 🎧 Beautiful Behavior Podcast by Diane Sorensen

• 💬 Diane’s coaching programs on empowered living and connected parenting

• 🌐 dsorensen@dianesorensen.net

• https://www.instagram.com/dianesorensen.bb/

Connect with Us:

• Follow Lorraine on Instagram @peersnotfears

• Learn more about Peers Not Fears: www.peersnotfears.com

• Order Lorraine’s book A Teacher’s Story

---

✨ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode if it resonated with you. Let’s continue building a world where today’s teens grow into tomorrow’s powerful, empathetic leaders.

#LeadersOfToday #TeensToTitans #ParentingWithPurpose #EmotionalGrowth #SelfAcceptance #ConnectedParenting #BreakingPatterns #LeadershipRedefined

Parenting with Leadership: Embracing Mistakes and Growth

In this heartfelt episode of Leaders of Today, we dive into the connection between parenting and leadership—two roles filled with challenges, learning curves, and the inevitable mistakes that shape our journeys.

As parents, we often put immense pressure on ourselves to "get it right." But what if true leadership in parenting isn't about perfection, but about how we respond when things don’t go as planned?

In this episode, I explore:

• The parallels between leadership and parenting—both requiring patience, adaptability, and self-awareness
• How making mistakes as a parent is not only normal but also an opportunity to model resilience for our children
• The importance of open communication, accountability, and repair in building trust and strong relationships
• Shifting from guilt and shame to growth and learning, both as parents and as leaders in our children's lives

Parenting is leadership, and leadership is about learning. Join me in this candid conversation about embracing our imperfections and leading with authenticity.

🎧 Listen now and discover how embracing mistakes can make you a stronger parent and leader!

Connect with me:
🌍 Website: Peers Not Fears
📸 Instagram: @peersnotfears
🔗 LinkedIn: Lorraine Connell