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Welcome to Leaders of Today: From Teens to Titans, the podcast where we dive into the experiences of current Titan leaders to uncover how their teenage years shaped their paths to success and how a coach might have helped them along the way. Hosted by Lorraine Connell, Teen Leadership Coach and founder of Peers Not Fears, this show offers parents, teens, and aspiring leaders invaluable insights and practical advice. In each episode, we candidly talk with leaders who reflect on their challenges, triumphs, and pivotal moments from their youth. We explore how mentorship and coaching helped or could have impacted their journey, and we invite them to become mentors for our program teens, sharing their wisdom and experiences. Whether you’re a parent seeking to empower your child, a teen navigating the complexities of adolescence, or an aspiring leader looking for guidance, Leaders of Today: From Teens to Titans provides the tools and inspiration needed to cultivate leadership skills, foster resilience, and embrace potential. Join our community dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders. Subscribe now and embark on a transformative journey towards unlocking your teen’s leadership potential!
Episodes
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
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.
Thursday May 01, 2025
Thursday May 01, 2025
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.
Thursday Apr 24, 2025
Thursday Apr 24, 2025
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:
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Leesh’s personal journey through disordered eating and overtraining
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How therapy, fitness, and self-reflection helped her build self-love
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The importance of aligning your goals with your values
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How societal expectations can distort our definition of success
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Tips for teens and parents navigating body image, mental health, and perfectionism
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Leesh’s transition from boxing to full-time coaching and her IVF journey
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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:
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💻 Website: https://www.leeshpikefitness.com/
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📸 Instagram: @leeshpikefitness
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📧 Coaching Info & Inquiries: leeshpike@gmail.com
Resources & Mentions:
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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.
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
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:
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How Diane’s early experiences with loneliness and fear of disapproval shaped her identity
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The dangers of perfectionism and the approval trap—and how to break free
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Why self-reflection is essential for conscious parenting
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How emotional acceptance can heal relationships and build deeper connections
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The evolving definition of leadership and how teens can lead without fitting a mold
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The importance of mistakes in personal growth and resilience
Resources Mentioned:
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🎧 Beautiful Behavior Podcast by Diane Sorensen
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💬 Diane’s coaching programs on empowered living and connected parenting
- https://www.instagram.com/dianesorensen.bb/
Connect with Us:
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Follow Lorraine on Instagram @peersnotfears
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Learn more about Peers Not Fears: www.peersnotfears.com
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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
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
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
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
- Lorraine's journey began during COVID when she sought a hobby.
- She transitioned from teaching to leadership coaching to empower others.
- Teaching is not just about delivering information; it's about collaboration.
- Every student has value and can be a leader in their own way.
- Teachers often feel isolated and need community support.
- Vulnerability and accountability are crucial for effective teaching.
- The book provides practical examples for empowering students.
- Leadership can be redefined beyond traditional expectations.
- Educators should believe in their students' potential.
- The workbook complements the book for practical application.
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
Show Notes:
In this episode of Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans, Lorraine Connell sits down with Courtney, Director of the Center for New Americans, to explore the transformative power of mentorship and leadership for young people—especially those from immigrant backgrounds.
Courtney shares her personal journey from being a high school mentee to becoming a peer leader and eventually dedicating her career to youth empowerment. Together, she and Lorraine discuss the importance of creating supportive environments for young leaders, the challenges immigrant youth face, and how programs like theirs are fostering confidence, resilience, and leadership skills in students.
🌟 Key Takeaways:
🔹 The impact of mentorship on youth leadership development
🔹 Encouraging confidence and self-worth in teenagers
🔹 How the Center for New Americans is breaking down barriers for immigrant students
🔹 The evolution of peer leadership programs and their ripple effect
🔹 The power of redemption, second chances, and modeling forgiveness
Plus, hear about their exciting new initiatives, including the expansion of middle school mentorship programs and a potential partnership with the Choose Love curriculum!
#LeadersOfToday #YouthEmpowerment #MentorshipMatters #TeenLeadership #ImmigrantVoices #ChooseLove #FutureLeaders #Confidence #GrowthMindset
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
In this episode of Leaders of Today, we explore what it truly means to leave a legacy—not just through grand gestures, but in the everyday moments that shape the lives of those around us. Leadership isn’t about titles or status; it’s about the impact we make through our actions, our words, and the way we show up for others.
I reflect on:
- The moments in my own journey that reshaped my understanding of leadership
- How small acts of kindness and mentorship can create a ripple effect for generations
- The role of educators, parents, and mentors in shaping young leaders
- How we can be intentional about the legacy we leave behind, both personally and professionally
Your legacy isn’t something you build at the end of your journey—it’s something you create every single day. Join me as we dive into the power of everyday leadership and how we can all make a lasting impact.
🎧 Listen now and start shaping your legacy today!
Connect with me:
🌍 Website: Peers Not Fears
📸 Instagram: @peersnotfears
🔗 LinkedIn: Lorraine Connell