Jennifer Breheny Wallace, author of Never Enough, shares insight into modern day “achievement culture.” We discuss the hidden consequences of pushing teens too hard, and how to help teens balance achievement and fulfillment.If you've enjoyed Talking to Teens, we'd love if you could leave us a five-star rating, and if you have time, a review! Full Show NotesParenting teenagers in today's world comes with a unique set of challenges, not least of which is the increasing pressure on teens to excel in all areas of their lives. From school achievements to extracurricular activities, our teens are bombarded with the message that they need to do more, be more, and achieve more just to matter. But what if the secret to raising healthy, happy, and successful teenagers is not about pushing them to achieve more but helping them understand that they already matter?In this eye-opening episode of Talking to Teens, we're delving deep into the world of high-achieving teens and the often toxic culture surrounding their quest for success. We're joined by Jenny Wallace, a seasoned journalist who has spent the last four years investigating the rise of toxic achievement culture across America. Jenny's work, including hundreds of interviews with teenagers, parents, and experts, culminates in her latest book, Never Enough, which aims to shed light on this pressing issue and offer practical solutions for parents.Jenny brings a wealth of experience to the table, having worked as a journalist for 60 minutes and frequently contributed to The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. As a parent of three teenagers herself, Jenny's insights are not only research-based but deeply personal, making her guidance invaluable for anyone navigating the complex world of teen parenting today.The Weight of AchievementJenny begins by addressing the mounting evidence suggesting that teenagers attending high-achieving schools are at an increased risk for anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. She discusses the pervasive "never enough" mentality that drives teens to prioritize achievements over their well-being, often at a significant cost. By shining a light on this issue, Jenny hopes to encourage parents to reevaluate how they define success for their teenagers.The Power of MatteringAt the heart of Jenny's message is the concept of mattering—ensuring that our teens feel valued for who they are, not just what they accomplish. Jenny's research reveals a stark reality: many teens believe their parents value their achievements more than their intrinsic worth as individuals. She shares compelling stories and data that illustrate the importance of fostering a sense of unconditional mattering in our children's lives.Practical Solutions for ParentsJenny doesn't just diagnose the problem; she offers a pathway forward. She shares practical strategies and personal anecdotes that demonstrate how parents can create a home environment where teens know they matter regardless of their achievements. From simple exercises to meaningful conversations, Jenny provides actionable advice for parents looking to support their teens in healthy and sustainable ways.In the EpisodeOur conversation with Jenny is packed with insights and advice, covering topics such as:Recognizing the signs of toxic achievement culture in our homes and schoolsStrategies for communicating unconditional love and support to our teensThe importance of prioritizing our own well-being as parentsSuccess stories of teens who thrive within high-achieving environmentsAnd much more!This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone who plays a significant role in the life of a teenager. Jenny Wallace's informed and compassionate approach to tackling the toxic achievement culture offers a beacon of hope for families navigating these challenges.Don't miss this powerful conversation on how we can help our teenagers understand that they matter—not because of what they achieve, but because of who they are. Listen to the full episode and subscribe to Talking to Teens today.Follow us on Social Media! We're @talkingtoteens on Instagram and TikTok

Margo is joined by cultural leader, oral historian and documentarian Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz, Ed.D. who shares narratives of personal transformation and community change.To say this historian’s own history is distinguished is an understatement: Mi’Jan curated and hosted Unfinished Network’s first 2022 public salon on the theme of multiracial democracy, with CNN’s Van Jones and MSNBC’s Maria Teresa Kumar. She also designed and led the Gloria Steinem Initiative’s public policy digital storytelling pilot at Smith College, and served as a New Mexico Humanities Council Scholar. Mi’Jan has held Visiting Scholar appointments at Columbia University and New York University and served as faculty in the Cultural Leadership program at The Banff Centre in Canada. Currently Mi’Jan serves as faculty with Omega Institute, co-host for the National Art Education Association’s podcast, as well as principal oral historian and public art curator for Policy Link’s California BIPOC Liberation Stories Project. She works with communities across the themes of sovereignty, transformation, liberation, healing and love.   Margo and Mi’Jan discuss: What it means to be an oral historian What her work and creative practice looks like California BIPOC liberation stories How she designs her year Out of body experiences she would have during keynote storytelling The art of slowing down and why it became critical to her practice The intersectionality of creative and spiritual practices   Mi’Jan is best known for connecting with audiences through her visionary, story-rich talks at a range of institutions, from Carnegie Hall to the Institute of American Indian Arts to SXSW. Her goal? To make the historical contemporary and personal, while surfacing the marginalized stories that need to be heard.   Connect with Mi’Jan: www.mijancelie.comakers/mijan-celie-tho-biaz/ Mi’jan’s Monthly Newsletter Bimonthly Professional Development Interview Series: National Art Education Association's Connected Arts Networks 8-part podcast series: www.freshspeakers.com/spe https://www.eomega.org/people/mijan-celie-tho-biaz  

Justin Rhodes, permaculturalist, author and social media presence joins to talk about his journey into agriculture, turning that lifestyle into a vlog and paths to earn extra income as a farmer. (Episode Note- Our SD card filled up part way through our conversation with Justin so there is a pause about half way through before we resumed recording) Justin can be found on YouTube as well at his companies website, Abundant Permaculture. Back to the Roots is sponsored by SoilBiotics and Byron Seeds.

This week, Margo chats with Annie McGee, a history loving illustrator and pattern designer. Annie currently lives in Cheshire, England with her husband and two children and loves to feather her nest by exploring all kinds of crafts, declaring herself to be a renaissance soul who loves to dive into multiple mediums. Her creative journey has been driven by her experience of chronic illness, disability and the long journey of seeking diagnosis. She's started a podcast for artists, illustrators and makers called The Chronic Artist Podcast where she chats about the creative's journey, living with chronic illnesses and raising a family. She shares strategies for time management, planning and techniques that have helped her to stay creative in the most stressful of times.  Margo and Annie discuss: Living with an undiagnosed chronic illness How her chronic illness plays into her creative practices Being denied support and ignored by doctors How it her illness affects the way in which she works with certain mediums Learning and trusting how to advocate for herself Her desire to be more loose, free, and intuitive in her creativity How she finds finds balance between life, family and responsibilities Her upcoming podcast, The Chronic Artist Podcast And more! Annie’s passion for storytelling and creativity has led her from stitching alternative embroidery as "Scavenger Annie", to the wonderful world of illustration created under the studio name of Northern Bird Designs. Her art supply ammunition includes watercolors, inks, pastels and digital techniques which she uses to create her patterns and illustrations. She is inspired by historic tales, murder mysteries, comic book adventures, retro pop art and science fiction. Connect with Annie: www.northernbirddesigns.com https://www.instagram.com/northernbirddesigns/ https://www.instagram.com/chronicartistpodcast/

On the eve of Thanksgiving Margo goes solo to talk about her thoughts on gratitude and how they play a role in creativity. She shares some tips to help you step into gratitude such as writing a gratitude letter, shifting perspective, and avoiding comparison (aka the thief of joy) as well as some quotes and poems that are relevant to gratitude and the American holiday of Thanksgiving. Do you have a gratitude practice that’s aided in your creativity? Let Margo know by sending her a DM at @windowsillchats!   Mentioned in this episode: https://morganharpernichols.com/ https://chopra.com/articles/cultivate-the-healing-power-of-gratitude https://native-land.ca/ https://www.joyharjo.com/   Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

Amy Cooper Hakim, author of Working With Difficult People, joins us for a discussion on how to deal with the most common types of difficult people, particularly when you are quarantined with them!!If you've enjoyed Talking to Teens, we'd love if you could leave us a five-star rating, and if you have time, a review! Full show notesThe global pandemic COVID-19 is causing the world to stand still. It almost seems unreal—like a sci-fi movie. Schools are closing rapidly, causing college students to fly home from all over the country and primary learners to learn from online platforms. Parents who can are working from home, making rapid adjustments to comply with their new work routine. Situations are rapidly changing every day, and it might seem like there’s no consistency. But for some lucky households, one thing remains constant: Family.With parents working from the kitchen and children of all ages going to school in the living room, families are taking on a new dynamic. In some ways, it’s like living with coworkers. Boundaries need to be set, responsibilities need to be met, and—perhaps most importantly—conflicts need to be resolved. Spending so much time with each other in such close quarters might be challenging for some families, but this worldwide phenomenon is also a chance for parents and their children to grow closer and foster positive growth!To understand exactly what parents can do to create the best possible quarantine environment for their families, I spoke with the queen of work relationships: Amy Cooper Hakim. She’s the author of Working with Difficult People: Handling the Ten Types of Problem People Without Losing Your Mind and holds a Ph D in industrial organizational psychology. She’s the absolute authority on conflict resolution in the workplace, and being currently quarantined in Florida with several children of her own means she has firsthand experience applying her knowledge in a home environment!According to Dr. Amy, two of the most crucial things parents can do to create a functional home environment are set appropriate boundaries and maintain an atmosphere of honesty. Although it’s sometimes hard, Dr. Amy believes in the importance of parents acting not only as a child’s “bestie,” but as an authority figure. It’s the same as being a CEO or manager—you need to lead by example, and what you say goes. In our interview, Dr. Amy gives incredible advice on how to balance this firmer parenting approach with one of empathy and compassion in order to show your children not only do you love them, but you want to care for and protect them, too!She also shares what she plans to do during this unusual time to teach her children valuable lessons about perseverance, cooperation, and selflessness. With incredible optimism, Dr. Amy sees this time as a wonderful chance for her and her family to grow closer, and I know her advice will help you as well! In our interview, we talk about:Practicing tact while delivering advice and criticism to teensHow teens often fall into one of several kinds of “difficult people,” and how to deal with each onePrioritizing logic over emotion in family conflictsSpecific practices parents can implement in their homes to bring their families closer during quarantine!During such odd times, it’s a joy to hear from someone so experienced and so optimistic about what families can do to bring out the best in each other. If you’re concerned over how you should be handling this quickly evolving situation, I highly encourage you to listen in! Dr. Amy is sure to have some advice that applies directly to you, and your family. Follow us on Social Media! We're @talkingtoteens on Instagram and TikTok