What if the most powerful tool we have to reduce school violence isn’t a perfect policy, but a daily choice to truly see each other? That’s the heart of our conversation with educator and speaker Jesse Hansen, who has spent 21 years inside junior highs and high schools teaching the psychology of meanness—and how to break the hate cycle with sincere, strategic kindness.

We trace common motives behind school shootings—justice, revenge, and fame—and uncover the deeper driver connecting them: the desperate need to be seen. Jesse explains “grievance collecting,” the way small slights stack over years, and offers a practical, science-backed response teens can use when faced with cruelty. Instead of platitudes like “kill them with kindness,” she teaches a disarming script that creates cognitive dissonance: respond to active meanness with honest empathy and clear boundaries. It’s not weakness; it’s strength that rewrites the script and denies bullies the reaction they crave.

Jesse also shares the turning point that changed her own story, when a junior high principal combined firm accountability with genuine care and said, “I see you.” We talk about the power of one caring adult, how relational aggression weaponizes belonging, and why naming behaviors—exclusion, manipulation, isolation—helps kids stop taking cruelty personally. Then we dive into the Kindest Kid in America project, a nationwide effort that celebrates real acts of kindness by writing custom children’s books about the winners and surprising them at school assemblies. If violence can be contagious through notoriety, kindness can be even more contagious through recognition, storytelling, and community pride.

You’ll leave with practical language for hard moments, new ways to model strength with compassion online and off, and a simple invitation: be the adult who sees a child. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a friend, and nominate a student for Kindest Kid in America at kindestkidinamerica.com. Your story might be the one that changes theirs.

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Ever ask “How was your day?” and get “fine”? We dig into why that question stalls and what to ask instead to unlock real stories, richer details, and genuine confidence. With strategist and storyteller Anna Tran, we explore the simple shift that changes everything: listen first, then guide with curious questions that help kids hear themselves think.

We talk about transforming shy voices into self-assured communicators by making storytelling a daily ritual, not a performance. Think eye-level conversations, calm pauses, and prompts that open doors: What made you feel proud? Who surprised you at lunch? What did you learn that you didn’t expect? As children narrate their day, they practice structure, recall, empathy, and clarity—the same skills leaders use in boardrooms. We also draw parallels between coaching teams and parenting: when we ask better questions and avoid rushing to fix, kids develop agency and problem-solving muscles that last.

Social media hovers over modern childhood, so we tackle how to build offline self-worth before the likes arrive. We share ways to spot unhelpful thought patterns, create healthy digital boundaries, and ground a child’s identity in effort, kindness, and contribution. Practical tools make it doable: a family gratitude jar for tough days, a one-minute story round after dinner, and a rotating “listener-leader” whose job is to ask follow-ups before anyone gives advice. Along the way, we trade honest stories—from sibling dynamics to classroom debates—to show how small habits become lifelong confidence.

If this conversation sparks an idea, try one prompt at dinner tonight and watch what unfolds. Subscribe for more practical tools on confident communication, share this with a parent who needs a fresh question, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

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Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

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Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

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Fear of failure doesn’t vanish with pep talks, and comparison doesn’t make kids try harder. We sat down with psychologist and author Dr. Kate Lund to explore practical ways families can trade perfection pressure for resilient growth—without asking kids to be fearless. Kate shares her powerful personal story of growing up with hydrocephalus and how her parents focused on who she was, not what she had. That lens—see strengths, acknowledge limits, stay connected—anchors everything we unpack, from sibling dynamics to teen pushback.

We get specific about the moments parents struggle most: a cautious child who won’t start unless success is guaranteed, a sibling who races ahead and sets an unhelpful bar, and a teenager who says, “You don’t get it.” Kate lays out clear moves that change the tone. Lead with active listening to earn trust, share your own stumbles only when it serves them, and replace outcome fixation with process praise. We dig into the comparison trap—why it erodes motivation—and how shifting to individualized expectations helps each child see their unique path. Instead of sizing kids against each other, we ask: what strengths did you use today, and where did effort show up?

You’ll leave with two simple habits that deliver real results. First, the relaxation response: five minutes of focused breathing with a soothing word builds a calm baseline so challenges don’t spike into shutdown. Second, the daily wins exercise: write three to five things that went well to counter negativity bias and reinforce progress. These tools travel well across school, sports, and friendships, helping kids face hard things, learn from missteps, and try again with more confidence.

If fear, comparison, or constant self-critique has been steering your home, this conversation offers a reset grounded in empathy, science, and doable routines. Listen, share it with a friend who needs it, and if it helped, follow the show and leave a quick review so more parents can find these tools.

Connect with Dr. Kate

Find her on Instagram here, or check out her book Step Away: The Keys to Resilient Parenting on Amazon.

Get a free mini lesson plus 52 prompts so your kids can practice every week here!

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

Ever notice how a single word can flip a conversation with your teen from tense to trusting? We sat down with teen and parent well‑being coach Laura Ollinger to unpack the small, repeatable moves that turn blow‑ups into breakthroughs—without scripts, shame, or power struggles. Laura brings the compassion of a mom of four and the clarity of a coach who’s helped countless families navigate anxiety, curfews, grades, and all the messy middle moments of adolescence.

We start with the simple truth that how we begin is how we’ll likely end. Laura explains why a regulated parent sets the emotional weather of the home, and how opening with calm presence can redirect even late‑night conflicts. From there, we dig into perspective taking: helping teens move from black‑and‑white thinking to shades of gray using questions like “Is it possible…?” and reframes that lower the temperature. Validation is the bridge—acknowledging feelings without agreeing with conclusions—so teens feel seen and become more open to problem‑solving.

You’ll learn practical language shifts, including “I feel” statements that de‑escalate and model emotional fluency. We walk through setting clear expectations for curfews, driving, screens, and schoolwork, then linking them to agreed consequences so follow‑through teaches instead of punishes. Laura shares a forward‑focused feedback loop—What went well? What could be better next time?—that builds confidence after tests, games, and performances. We also talk openly about repair: how to apologize with context and a question when we slip, so accountability becomes a family habit.

If you’re ready to swap power struggles for connection and raise teens who can name their feelings, own their choices, and try again tomorrow, this conversation is your playbook. Listen, share with a friend who needs a boost, and subscribe for more practical tools that make family life calmer, kinder, and stronger.

Connect With Laura

Check out Positively Healthy Coaching on Facebook or Instagram, and don't miss this free guide to cracking the parenting code.

Get a free mini lesson plus 52 prompts so your kids can practice every week here!

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

What if the fastest way to help your child make better choices is to change how you show up as a parent? That question drives a candid conversation with author and mentor Richard Ramos, whose journey from at‑risk youth counseling to parent coaching revealed a hard truth: when the home isn’t healthy, everything else struggles to stick. We dig into practical, human strategies that replace power struggles with connection, and rigid rules with durable influence.

Richard breaks down attachment and psychological safety in simple terms—less interrogation, more curiosity. Instead of “Why did you do that?” try “What’s pulling you toward this?” We talk about the exact moment trust is won or lost, like when a teen confesses breaking an online rule. You’ll hear how to set proportionate consequences without shutting down future honesty, plus realistic guardrails for VR and social platforms that keep kids safe while keeping communication open. His “Home Field Advantage” framework offers a clear roadmap: gardener from 0–2, trainer from 2–5, coach from 5–12—preparing kids for separation and real‑world infiltration, not isolation. Along the way, we unpack identity development, helping children discover who they are so you can develop their strengths without comparison.

Respect, Richard insists, is earned, not demanded. That means prioritizing the relationship over being right, apologizing when we blow it, and modeling the kind of leadership we want our kids to carry into classrooms, teams, and jobs. Emotional maturity sits at the core of it all: know yourself to grow yourself. When we regulate our reactions, keep promises, and repair quickly, home becomes the training ground for resilience, integrity, and responsible freedom. If you’ve wondered how to raise confident, grounded kids who can handle failure, peer pressure, and the messy parts of life, this conversation offers a playbook you can start using tonight.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more parents find these tools. Then tell us: what boundary or habit will you revisit this week?

Connect with Richard

Find him on Facebook, listen to the podcast, and sign up for his Parent on a Mission course here.

Get a free mini lesson plus 52 prompts so your kids can practice every week here!

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

What if you could have a conversation with your great-grandmother? Not just read her diary or look at old photos, but actually ask her questions and hear her voice tell you stories about her life? This isn't science fiction—it's becoming reality through innovative storytelling technology that's preserving family legacies in remarkable new ways.

Jeremy Horne joins us to share his passion for capturing family stories that might otherwise be lost forever. His journey began as a child in Perth, Australia, recording his grandparents on borrowed video equipment, and has evolved into creating Winnie, an app designed to facilitate meaningful conversations between generations. But he's not stopping there. His newest project, Forever You, uses those recorded stories to create digital avatars that future generations can actually interact with.

The conversation takes us deep into why these connections matter so much. Jeremy explains the concept of "social health"—the third pillar of wellbeing alongside physical and mental health—and how genuine human connection nourishes us in ways that social media never can. He shares fascinating research showing that children who understand their family history develop greater resilience and confidence, giving them an anchor to their past that helps them navigate their future.

What makes this episode particularly powerful is the practical advice for fostering these connections. Whether it's being intentional about scheduling time for meaningful conversations, learning the art of asking good questions, or simply giving people space to tell their stories, Jeremy offers tools anyone can use to strengthen their relationships and preserve their family legacy.

As we navigate an increasingly digital world where we're simultaneously more connected yet lonelier than ever, this conversation reminds us of what truly matters. The technology Jeremy describes isn't about replacing human connection—it's about enhancing and preserving it across generations. His parting words offer both wisdom and urgency: "I'm yet to meet anyone who regrets interviewing their parents, but I've met plenty who wish they could do it and no longer have that choice."

Ready to start capturing your family's stories? Listen now and discover how these conversations might be the most precious gift you can give future generations.

Connect with Jeremy

Find him on Facebook or Instagram, or download the Winny app.

Get a free mini lesson plus 52 prompts so your kids can practice every week here!

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

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Have you ever wondered why modern parenting feels more challenging than ever before? In this eye-opening conversation with licensed family therapist Todd Sarner, we explore how parents can transform daily stress and disconnection into calm, confident leadership at home.

Todd shares his profound insight that effective parenting starts with placing relationship first. Drawing from decades of experience helping thousands of families, he reveals that most parenting should be proactive rather than reactive—focusing on building strong connections, creating supportive environments, and developing crucial maturity processes in children.

The discussion delves into three essential maturity processes children need to develop: integrative energy (the ability to weigh different perspectives), emergent energy (creativity and self-expression), and adaptive energy (processing frustration and change). Todd explains how technology and social media can interfere with these natural developmental processes, leaving children ill-equipped to handle life's inevitable challenges.

Perhaps most powerfully, Todd emphasizes that "empathy does not mean you agree"—encouraging parents to take time understanding their child's experience before problem-solving. This simple shift in approach creates the connection children need to naturally want to cooperate. As he notes, "When we're connected and honoring the connection, you don't need to convince me to do stuff most of the time."

With the rapid advancement of AI and technology presenting unprecedented challenges for families, Todd's attachment-first approach offers a refreshing perspective on what children truly need from parents that no technology can provide: genuine empathy, emotional regulation, and human connection.

Tune in to transform your approach to parenting and discover how to create the calm, confident home environment your family deserves.

Get a free mini lesson plus 52 prompts so your kids can practice every week here!

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

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Gary Chubik, mental performance coach to pro athletes and organizations like the FBI, shares his journey from a shy, reluctant speaker to a confident professional communicator with practical frameworks anyone can use.

• Building self-trust is essential for confident communication
• The "Me-We-Topic-You-Us" framework provides a simple structure for effective presentations
• Preparation and proving skills to yourself creates genuine confidence
• The CAPE method (Control, Assess, Plan, Execute) helps manage high-pressure situations
• Focus on communicating one or two key points rather than overwhelming your audience
• Find the optimal level of emotional engagement using the Yerkes-Dodson scale
• Parent with emotion, not emotionally, for more effective communication with children

Find Gary on Instagram or at elitemindset.nation.com to learn more about unlocking your potential through mental performance coaching.

Get a free mini lesson plus 52 prompts so your kids can practice every week here!

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!