Leaders of Today: From Teens to Titans

Is Making Friends a Skill? Exploring the Role of Leadership Coaching in Social Connections

In this bonus episode of "Teens to Titans," Lorraine Connell delves into the intricacies of friendship-building among adolescents. Drawing from her blog post, "Is Making Friends a Skill? Exploring the Role of Leadership Coaching in Social Connections," she examines whether making friends is an innate ability or a skill that can be developed. Lorraine discusses how leadership coaching can enhance social connections, offering insights into the importance of intentional practice in forming meaningful relationships. She also highlights strategies to help teens navigate the complexities of social interactions, emphasizing the role of self-awareness and empathy in building lasting friendships. This episode provides valuable perspectives for parents, educators, and teens aiming to foster stronger social bonds.

Exploring Leadership, Mentorship, and Impact with Dr. Anika Davis

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Lorraine hosts Dr. Anika Davis, a passionate educator and leader, for a deep dive into the nuances of leadership, mentorship, and personal growth. They discuss the evolving challenges faced by young people today, drawing on their own experiences as parents and professionals in education. From fostering leadership in younger students to the vital impact of positive teacher feedback, Lorraine and Dr. Davis cover essential strategies to empower and guide the next generation.

Topics Covered:

1. Personal Milestones and Future Plans: Lorraine and Dr. Davis discuss their children's achievements, exploring their educational journeys and future aspirations.
2. Virtual Coaching for Younger Students: Lorraine shares her plans to coach 8th-10th graders virtually, while Dr. Davis suggests extending support to gifted younger students. They discuss resources like the "Leader in Me" program to inspire early leadership.
3. Anika’s Teenage Journey: Dr. Davis reflects on her upbringing in New York City, sharing how her family’s support and entry into Brooklyn Tech shaped her leadership journey.
4. Redefining Leadership and Success: Dr. Davis and Lorraine discuss how their definitions of leadership and success have grown, including the value of relationships, self-advocacy, and learning from setbacks.
5. Impact and Mentorship: They emphasize the ripple effect of small positive actions, discussing how being empathetic and supportive can profoundly impact both students and new employees.
6. Teacher Influence and Professional Development: Lorraine and Dr. Davis reflect on teachers' impact, agreeing to explore research on the psychological effects of feedback in the classroom.

Key Takeaways:

• Empowerment Through Small Actions: Small efforts can lead to significant changes, creating positive ripples within a community.
• The Value of Mentorship: Strong mentorship can bridge the gap for new leaders, fostering mutual respect and open communication.
• Leadership as Influence: Leadership is more than titles; it’s about self-acceptance, empathy, and positively influencing others.

Tune in for practical insights on cultivating leadership in yourself and others! 🎧

From Self-Doubt to Nutrition Advocate: Whitney Cardosi’s Journey to Wellness

🎧 Show Notes:

In this episode of Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans, Lorraine sits down with Whitney Cardosi to discuss her transformative journey from struggling with self-worth to becoming a passionate advocate for nutrition and mental health.

🌱 Inside This Episode:
🔹 Whitney’s personal struggles with self-esteem, addiction, and family challenges as a teen
🔹 How the pandemic led to her epiphany about the connection between nutrition, emotions, and mental health
🔹 The impact of food choices on family well-being and how parents can model healthy habits
🔹 Equipping kids with social and emotional skills through nutrition and conversation tools
🔹 The role of authenticity, self-acceptance, and resilience in personal growth

Whitney also shares insights from her work, including her kids' cooking classes, her Mom & Tween conversation cards, and the upcoming Bloom Retreat for girls and their mothers.

🎧 Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how making small, intentional choices can transform our well-being and leadership.

Follow Whitney on Instagram at @whitney_cardosi and @bloomnorthshore

#LeadersOfToday #Podcast #TeenLeadership #NutritionAndMentalHealth #SelfWorth #ParentingTips #HealthyEating #GrowthMindset

From Perfectionism to Purpose: Kamini Wood’s Journey in Leadership Development

In this episode, Lorraine Connell, founder of Peers Not Fears, sits down with life coach Kamini to explore how her teenage struggles shaped her work in leadership development and coaching. As a high performer and introvert, Kamini faced immense pressure to succeed, which led to social anxiety, people-pleasing, and perfectionism. These experiences have profoundly influenced her journey of self-discovery and now fuel her mission to help high achievers overcome self-sabotage, embrace their core values, and cultivate self-compassion.

Together, Lorraine and Kamini discuss:

• Kamini’s teenage years and the pressures of high achievement.
• The role of self-discovery and redefining success based on personal well-being.
• Strategies for helping teens and emerging adults understand their values.
• How people-pleasing and perfectionism impact mental health and relationships.
• Supporting high-achieving students experiencing burnout and stress.
• Parenting styles, self-reflection, and creating authentic connections with teens.

This inspiring conversation sheds light on the importance of empathy, self-awareness, and leadership beyond external achievements, making it a must-listen for teens, parents, and educators.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership Beyond Titles: True leadership stems from values and self-awareness, not external achievements.
• Self-Compassion Matters: Overcoming perfectionism begins with accepting imperfections and practicing curiosity.
• Burnout in High Achievers: Addressing stress and pressure early can prevent long-term challenges in teens.
• Empowering Teens: Creating space for authentic conversations and diverse perspectives fosters growth and resilience.

Connect with Kamini:

• Website: https://www.kaminiwood.com/
• Social Media:
  • Facebook
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaminiwood
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsauthenticme/
  • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVaEISjpaXsCdQGbE2lpUw

Learn More About Peers Not Fears:

Explore leadership development resources, programs, and more at Peers Not Fears.

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could benefit from Kamini’s insights!

#LeadershipDevelopment #SelfCompassion #TeensAndParents #OvercomingBurnout #AuthenticLeadership

Parenting with Purpose: Connection, Resilience, and Navigating Adolescence with Jamie Buzzelle

In this episode of Student Voice Future Leaders, Lorraine Connell sits down with certified parenting coach Jamie Buzzelle, the founder of The Repairent Coach, to dive deep into the challenges and rewards of parenting adolescents. Jamie shares his personal journey from feeling isolated and misunderstood as a teen to becoming a coach focused on fostering connection, co-regulation, and relationship-building with humor and heart. Lorraine and Jamie explore the balance between control and connection and how parents can best support their children through the complexities of adolescence.

Key Takeaways:

• Parenting Adolescents: The delicate balance of allowing teens to make mistakes while maintaining strong relationships.
• Emotional Regulation: Why parents need to model emotional awareness and co-regulation for their children.
• Safe Spaces for Communication: How creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment can encourage teens to communicate openly and take calculated risks.
• Positive Reinforcement: The importance of validating teens' feelings and behavior without tying their identity to their actions.
• Collaborative Parenting: Lorraine and Jamie share strategies for effective communication and accountability in both parenting and coaching teens.

Listen to this insightful conversation on creating a supportive, trusting, and growth-oriented relationship with your teen.

#Podcast #ParentingTeens #Resilience #EmotionalRegulation #Connection #TeenLeadership #FamilySupport #PositiveParenting #FutureLeaders #StudentVoice

Are you a Leader or a Follower? Redefining Leadership with Keyana Cellucci

In this inspiring episode of Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans, Lorraine sits down with Keyana Cellucci, entrepreneur and podcast host of Trust Me, to explore the transformative power of self-discovery, asking for help, and redefining leadership. Keyana shares her personal journey from a middle child who often overlooked her own needs to a leader who empowers others to embrace self-discipline, inner strength, and the courage to seek help.

Together, Lorraine and Keyana discuss the significance of reshaping leadership perceptions in schools, the power of delegation, and the importance of facing challenges head-on.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

1. Keyana’s Journey of Self-Discovery:

• How her teenage years were shaped by the question, “Who do I want to become?”
• The impact of being a middle child and the lessons she wished she had learned about asking for help earlier in life.

2. Shifting Leadership Perceptions in Schools:

• The need to redefine leadership beyond academic and athletic achievements to include delegation, humility, and teamwork.
• Why parents and educators should model vulnerability and normalize seeking help.

3. The Role of Delegation in Leadership:

• Keyana’s experience moving from Pennsylvania to Maine and how it taught her to trust others with responsibilities.
• How delegation helped her business flourish and broadened her leadership perspective.

4. Embracing an Unconventional Leadership Path:

• Keyana’s decision to follow her instincts rather than conventional routes, and how this led to her becoming a leader by example.
• Lorraine’s affirmation that leadership is about making intentional, goal-aligned choices.

5. Self-Discipline as a Key to Success:

• Why showing up for yourself, even on hard days, is essential for growth and leadership.
• The difference between self-discipline and fluctuating motivation.

6. Inner Strength and Growth:

• Keyana’s advice to teenagers: Everything you need is already within you—embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth.
• The powerful analogy of a buffalo running toward challenges to illustrate resilience.

7. Turning Hardships into Superpowers:

• How overcoming struggles can become a defining strength.
• Keyana’s personal story of resilience and how it fuels her passion to help others.

Key Takeaways:

• Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
• Leadership is more than a title—it’s about behavior, trust, and collaboration.
• Self-discipline is the foundation for achieving success and navigating challenges.
• Facing challenges directly can lead to quicker resolutions and greater personal growth.

Resources Mentioned:

• Keyana’s Podcast: Trust Me
• Connect with Keyana on Social Media:
  • Instagram: @KeyanaCellucci
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trustme_the_podcast
  • LinkedIn: Keyana Cellucci

Connect with Us:

• Peers Not Fears: www.peersnotfears.com
• Instagram: @PeersNotFears
• LinkedIn: Lorraine Connell

Don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring stories of leadership, growth, and resilience!

Thank you for listening!

Resilience, Reflection, and Leadership: Insights from Educator Craig Gemmell

In this insightful episode of Student Voice Future Leaders, Lorraine Connell speaks with Craig Gemmell, a seasoned educator and leader, about his journey through education, personal growth, and leadership. Craig shares his transformative experiences, from navigating high school challenges to founding a school in Madrid, all while learning the importance of resilience and reflection. He discusses:

• The Role of Resilience in Growth: Craig reflects on the importance of embracing discomfort and mistakes to foster personal and professional development.
• The Impact of Mentorship: Craig’s high school coach played a pivotal role in helping him recognize his potential, and he now pays it forward by guiding others.
• Overcoming Perfectionism: Craig and Lorraine discuss how striving for perfection can hinder growth and the importance of learning from failure.
• Building a Supportive Community: The conversation explores the value of honesty and openness in leadership, and how creating a culture of mutual support fosters stronger communities.
• Masculinity and Asking for Help: Craig addresses societal pressures on masculinity and the difficulty teens, especially boys, face in seeking help.
• Starting a School from Scratch: Craig shares the challenges and successes of building a thriving school in Madrid and the importance of culture in student and staff retention.

Tune in to hear Craig’s inspiring journey and his thoughts on building resilience, learning from mistakes, and leading with empathy.

🎧 Listen now and explore Craig’s remarkable story of leadership and growth!

#Resilience #Leadership #Mentorship #Education #StudentVoice #FutureLeaders #GrowthMindset #Reflection #Community #MadridSchool #StudentSuccess

Embracing Change and Discovering Your True Calling: A Conversation with Reverend Dawn Adams

Show Notes: In this inspiring episode, Lorraine sits down with Reverend Dawn Adams, Senior Minister at 1st Congregational Church, Wolfborough, UCC. Dawn shares her profound journey into ministry and leadership, offering valuable insights into self-perception, personal growth, and the importance of finding one's true calling in life. Together, they explore:

🔹 Dawn's early experiences in ministry and the path that led her to become a spiritual leader.

🔹 The importance of embracing curiosity, trusting your gut, and following what brings you joy.

🔹 Leadership evolution—shifting from a hierarchical approach to one that values collaboration and listening.

🔹 The power of community and how impactful leadership can emerge from the margins.

🔹 Finding and following your "calling" in life—how it can lead to a meaningful and fulfilling career.

🔹 The ongoing challenges faced by women in ministry and the importance of mentorship in fostering growth.

Reverend Dawn’s life story serves as a reminder that self-discovery and personal development are lifelong processes, and it’s okay to pivot and shed old paths when you discover your true passion. Whether you’re exploring your own calling or just curious about leadership in ministry, this episode is full of wisdom and encouragement.

#Leadership #Ministry #PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #WomenInLeadership #CallingInLife #Podcast #PeersNotFears

From Rebel to Resilient Leader: Cassie Crosby's Journey to Empowering Change

In this inspiring episode of Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans, Lorraine speaks with Cassie Crosby, CEO of Iterata Solutions and founder of Vertex Leadership Lab. Cassie, a 24-year army veteran, shares her incredible transformation from a rebellious teenager to a powerful leader in both the military and the corporate world. With expertise in leadership development, Cassie now helps ambitious executives build confidence, master organizational dynamics, and cultivate their executive presence.

Join us as Cassie recounts her journey, including overcoming early challenges, navigating male-dominated leadership arenas, and learning that leadership is not a title—it’s a behavior and responsibility.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Cassie’s Teenage Years: From a “rebel without a cause” to a determined leader, Cassie shares the defining moments that led her to join the army and start her path toward leadership.
• The Power of Nurturing Potential in "Disruptive" Kids: Cassie and Lorraine discuss the importance of believing in kids who may be overlooked, a trait often seen in successful individuals.
• Navigating Leadership as a Woman in Combat: Cassie talks about her time in the military and the challenges she faced as a woman in traditionally male roles, from logistics to combat positions.
• The Evolution of Self-Confidence: From shy beginnings to becoming a confident leader, Cassie discusses how therapy, a shift in mindset, and the influence of compassionate leaders helped shape her journey.
• Leadership and Decision-Making: Explore how Cassie’s leadership philosophy evolved from strict military hierarchy to a focus on collaboration, questioning, and understanding the “why” behind decisions.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is a skill that can be cultivated—it's about behavior and willingness to take responsibility.
• Teenagers with rebellious or disruptive behaviors may have untapped potential—it's crucial to have someone believe in them.
• Confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s developed through self-reflection and surrounding yourself with strong leaders.
• Good leaders empower others, and leadership decisions should always have clarity and purpose behind them.

Resources Mentioned:

• Cassie Crosby’s Leadership Development Firm: Vertex Leadership Lab
• Iterata Solutions: Iterata Solutions Website

 

Empowering Teenage Girls: Kimberly Gustas on Skincare, Self-Care, and Navigating Puberty

In this episode, Lorraine chats with Kimberly Gustas, the founder of Good For You Girls, a chemical-free skincare line designed specifically for teenage girls. Kimberly shares the personal story that led her to create a brand focused on empowering young girls through safe and effective skincare.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. The Birth of Good For You Girls: Kimberly's background in nutrition and fitness, combined with her daughter's health challenges, inspired her to create a skincare line free of harmful chemicals, helping teens care for their skin safely.

2. Navigating Puberty: Kimberly opens up about the traumatic loss of her brother during her adolescence, becoming a caregiver, and how these experiences shaped her empathy and leadership journey. Lorraine and Kimberly also explore how puberty can be reframed as a "superpower" and the importance of positive self-talk for teens.

3. Puberty's Impact on Girls' Self-Confidence: Discussing how early puberty can affect girls' mental health and self-confidence, Kimberly shares insights on the role of hormones and the importance of addressing these changes in a growth-focused way.

4. Skincare and Social Media: Kimberly warns about the harmful influence of social media on pre-teen skincare habits, often leading to the use of damaging products. She stresses the role of mothers in modeling healthy self-care routines.

5. Safe Product Selection: Lorraine and Kimberly dive into the dangers of chemical-based skincare products, discussing natural alternatives and how moms can help their daughters make better choices.

6. Preventing Acne in Teens: Kimberly shares essential tips on preventing and treating bacterial acne, emphasizing simple habits like good hygiene and avoiding harsh chemicals that disrupt the skin's balance.

Special Offer:
Listeners can enjoy 20% off all Good For You Girls products with the code PNF20. Visit goodforyougirls.com to explore safe skincare solutions for your teen!

🎧 Tune in now to learn more about how you can support your teen’s self-care journey and help them navigate the challenges of puberty with confidence.

#Podcast #TeenSkincare #SelfCare #PubertySupport #NaturalBeauty #ChemicalFreeSkincare #GoodForYouGirls #PeersNotFears