The American population seems polarized into at least two major camps, and several sub-camps regarding politics, vaccinations, masks, and other issues. The pandemic has stolen nearly a million lives in the United States. The economy has felt like a yo-yo, spiking and then plummeting. When Generation Z observes how out-of-control everything feels, you can’t blame them for feeling melancholy. In

When a family eats together, it demonstrates that family is the highest priority. While most agree with this, we often neglect it because we’ve jumped onto a hamster wheel, running to practices, rehearsals, games, recitals, and competitions. Rushing about together is not the same as pausing, eating, and interacting. We must avoid noise and clutter. In this episode, Tim and

When adolescents have nothing meaningful to do, they’ll create their own meaning. This can be good news or bad news, depending on what they come up with. For too long, parents, teachers, and coaches have only offered facsimiles of real-world experiences to teens. We’ve been afraid our kids will get hurt, be unsafe, be unready, and fail; and consequently, sheltered

When someone establishes their boundaries, it is a trump card. What can anyone say to a person who declares they need to guard their time and mental health? Today, we all believe in boundaries. When we don’t establish boundaries, we often sacrifice something that boundaries often protect. Both sacrifice and boundaries are essential but too much sacrifice often leads to

One of the saddest realities that surfaced from the COVID-19 pandemic was the loss of hope on the part of students. During this time of uncertainty, students are finding unhealthy and dangerous ways to cope. In this episode, Tim and Andrew explore the distinct relationship between resourcefulness and resiliency and present four messages students need to hear from their teachers

This past year, the theme of leadership was subtle but definitely present in many of the movies released in theaters and on streaming services. In this episode, Tim and Andrew offer you a list of the top leadership movies of 2021 and how we can all learn from them. Some are dramas, some are comedies, some are thrillers, and some

We live in a culture with so many options, so much going on every moment of the day, that we get distracted. Our smartphones cause FOMO (the fear of missing out). Social media causes FOMU (the fear of messing up). We endure self-imposed pressures to get so much done each day that we feel compelled to multitask. Technology has made

Despite the turmoil, disruption, volatility, and uncertainty, why do we see young adults becoming more, not less, audacious? In a time when we’d assume they might cower in fear of the unknown, they are speaking up, quitting jobs, and bucking well-known traditions. In this episode, Tim and Andrew explore why younger people are choosing control over caution in the new

People are resigning from their jobs in droves. By the millions. Inc. magazine reported on The Great Resignation, detailing the numbers; and they’re staggering. In this episode, Tim and Andrew discuss the lasting effects of the Great Resignation and how we all can navigate it using examples from the ones who came before us.

Millions of teens and young adults in Generation Z have been given the expectation that life should be pleasant, rewarding, and even fun each day. And when it is not, someone should swoop in and make it better. In this episode, Tim and Andrew discuss ways that we can help children combat Cinderella Syndrome and prepare for the real world

What if instead of barring our students from engaging in social platforms, we were instead building in them the skills they need to make those decisions themselves? In the case of both competencies, the answer begins with a conversation. In this episode, Tim and Andrew explore what it looks like to build skills that will help students make better decisions

Anxiety has been normalized thanks to social media and the pandemic. Both children and adults can let stress get them down. But there is a difference between stress and pressure. In this episode, Tim and Andrew explore these differences and offer insight into why pressure can help others perform at their best.

Hello Podcast Listeners!You might have noticed some technical issues with the podcast the last couple of weeks. On certain podcast applications, including Apple Podcasts, the episodes were not downloading from our host platform. We apologize for the issues, but you should find that all of the podcast episodes are now working. Thanks for hanging in there with us as we

Our character is simply made up of the habits and attitudes we possess daily. Especially in the aftermath of a pandemic, where a new normal has been established, its wise to lay tracks that enable us to stay on course in our lives. In this episode, Tim and Andrew discuss the measures they take to prepare for the upcoming year

Millions of teenagers, mostly girls, have spiraled into symptoms of depression and despair after spending time on social media platforms, such as Instagram. The data seems to indicate the connection between depression and Instagram is not just a coincidence. In this episode, Tim and Andrew explore the affects of social media on teens and give advice on how teachers can

Generation Z is a population that endured a down economy during childhood but are hopeful it will be up as they come of age. The last twenty years have been tumultuous. Over time, culture has evolved. Commerce changed rapidly, and information has increased each year. Mental health remains Gen Z’s top priority. In this episode, Tim and Andrew break down

Please be advised; this is a re-upload of the podcast posted Dec. 9th. It is our sincerest apology to Randy Hain and to our audience for the incorrect podcast being uploaded. Please enjoy these insightful words of advice from our very special guest. About Randy Hain Randy Hain, award-winning author, executive coach and leadership consultant, Just released his eighth book as a

Consider this reality. What the computer was for the Millennial Generation, social media is for Generation Z. We all recognize that social media isn’t going away. Most of us don’t want it to. Over nine in ten adults surveyed acknowledge they are on it themselves. What we may not recognize, however, are the moral implications it has on our young.

Students’ vocabulary has decreased from the 1950s to today. In over 40 years of the survey, a pattern emerged: Correct scores rose from the generations born around 1900 to the generations born around 1950 and then dropped afterward. So, although we are more educated than ever, our use of language may be smaller. In this episode we discuss how to

There is an old idea we can look to in order to both create a connection with our students and at the same time, hold them accountable to the rules and expectations by which we are all bound. It’s called a ‘social contract.' Join us on this week's episode as we explain how you can implement a social in your

Ultimately, leaders are helped when they have some level of magnetism. Inspiring and motivating people in an organization is a bonus aspect of leadership. Too much of it, however, can be detrimental. Learn this week what makes or breaks students stepping up and leading well. Resources: The Eight Paradoxes of Great Leadership Contact: podcast@growingleaders.com Social Media: @GrowingLeaders, @TimElmore & @AndrewMcPeak

Have we made our classrooms similar to an instant cake mix? Do we believe that teaching students is as simple as following a checklist? Find out in this week's episode what we believe teachers can do to increase student engagement this fall. Brian Regan YouTube clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7kfDjQVZvs Resources: Habitudes for Social & Emotional Learning Contact: podcast@growingleaders.com Social Media: @GrowingLeaders, @TimElmore & @AndrewMcPeak

This is the final episode in this series focusing on Tim Elmore's newest book, The Eight Paradoxes of Great Leadership, releasing on Nov. 2nd, 2021. To pre-order the book and gain access to the mini-course visit: timelmore.com/book Resources: The Eight Paradoxes of Great Leadership Pre-Order + Bonus Contact: podcast@growingleaders.com Social Media: @GrowingLeaders, @TimElmore & @AndrewMcPeak

This is the second of three episodes focusing on Tim Elmore's newest book, The Eight Paradoxes of Great Leadership, releasing on Nov. 2nd, 2021. To pre-order the book and gain access to the mini-course visit: timelmore.com/book To take the leadership quiz now visit: https://hcleadershipessentials.com/pages/leadership-quiz Resources: The Eight Paradoxes of Great Leadership Pre-Order + Bonus Contact: podcast@growingleaders.com Social Media: @GrowingLeaders, @TimElmore & @AndrewMcPeak  

This is the first of three episodes focusing on Tim Elmore's newest book, The Eight Paradoxes of Great Leadership, releasing on Nov. 2nd, 2021. To pre-order the book and gain access to the mini-course visit: timelmore.com/book Resources: The Eight Paradoxes of Great Leadership Pre-Order + Bonus Contact: podcast@growingleaders.com Social Media: @GrowingLeaders, @TimElmore & @AndrewMcPeak  

According to a nationwide study, 82% of Generation Z members report experiencing at least one traumatic event in their lives. For many teens, it was something that happened during the early years of their lives, but for even more, it was the pandemic. Add to that the societal pressure to have it all together and it can be overwhelming. In

The postponed Olympics Games held in Tokyo are now history. As always, there were highs and lows for competing athletes, but we'd like to focus on some insights we gain as we watched this year’s young athletes perform. In this episode, Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak discuss four lessons on leading young people from the Tokyo Olympics. Resources: Habitudes for Social

Want to make a great comeback from the setback of COVID-19? Every school would benefit from instilling a philosophy into our students where everyone responds to the hour we find ourselves in by knowing, growing, and sowing what’s inside of them for the sake of others. In this episode, Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak discuss how to effectively lead your

If you are one of the many educators, coaches, or leaders across the country who struggle to build resilience in your kids, athletes, or students, we may have a practical solution for you. One way to keep yourself going is to see resilience in others, so you can then believe in yourself. That's why in this episode, Tim Elmore and

What happens when the heartfelt ambitions of parenthood meet the ubiquitous opportunities of social media? "Sharenting" happens any time an adult in charge of a child’s well-being, such as a parent or a teacher, transmits private details about a child via digital channels. The problem, of course, is that even though we may be the parent or guardian, kids are

Adults everywhere offer “programs” to students, but what students really want and need are deep and trusting relationships. Generation Z has been programmed to death. They have sports programs thrown at them, they have YouTube and Amazon programs targeted at them and they have TV programs to watch. What they don’t experience is rich relationships and community. They often don’t

As an administrator, principal, teacher, or counselor you set the tone for the culture on your school campus. But how do you help your teachers, staff, and students thrive in such a constantly changing environment? In this episode, Tim Elmore, Andrew McPeak, and Steve Moore discuss how you can build an emotionally intelligent culture on your school campus. Resources: Building an

Obsessing over people, desires or worries is quite common today. Given our “instant-access, on-demand” culture, our brains are not used to going hours without answers. So, we ruminate on uncertainties until we’re anxious and even panicking. In short, uncertainties breed dissatisfaction, which launches rumination. It can wreak havoc. In this episode, Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak discuss how you can

Schools today have a difficult challenge to manage. They have to find a way to create a balance between: Students feeling safe and finding others they belong to and identify with on campus. Students feeling stretched as they get ready for a diverse and unpredictable world. In this episode, Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak discuss how you can help your students

Leaders don’t need a title, position, or badge to influence others. Genuine leaders influence people by understanding the current “temperature” among a group and responding accordingly. They observe when a community is cool and needs to be heated up–when it needs some passion infused into the team. They also can see when a group is hot and needs a calming

In this episode, Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak interview Theresa Beeckman aka "Tree" and discuss some practical tips on how to effectively manage the culture on your team. Tree is a former Division 1 athlete and volleyball coach who travels the country conducting team workshops and coach development programming. Resources: Managing Your Culture & Bring Tree to Speak to Your Team Contact: podcast@growingleaders.com Social

In the minds of parents, students, and even teachers, Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) has become an “academic subject.” Rather than being seen as the set of life skills that all adults in a student’s life must come together to help them develop, we have transformed the development of these skills into classes, curriculums, and syllabi. So, if you are

Research psychologists recently completed studies on the mental health of everyday individuals. One important finding was participants who are prone to dogmatism – stuck in their ways and relatively resistant to credible evidence – actually have a problem with processing evidence even at a perceptual level. They only see things one way. In this episode, Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak

Do your students feel a sense of responsibility for what they say and how they conduct themselves in the digital space? In this episode, Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak discuss digital citizenship and how to navigate these difficult conversations with your students. Resources: Habitudes for Social & Emotional Learning Contact: podcast@growingleaders.com Social Media: @GrowingLeaders, @TimElmore & @AndrewMcPeak

In this episode, Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak interview Dr. Adam Saenz and discuss the importance of building and utilizing emotional intelligence (EQ) in the classroom. Dr. Adam Sáenz earned his Ph.D. in School Psychology from Texas A&M University as a United States Department of Education doctoral fellow.  He completed his predoctoral clinical training under a fellowship appointment to Harvard Medical

Over a decade ago, we began to hypothesize about a trait we were observing in high school and college students. After researching the reasons for this we came up with a term - artificial maturity. Artificial maturity is the result of kids being over-exposed to information earlier than they are ready and kids being under-exposed to first-hand experiences later than

After working at some level of relationship with over 8,000 schools or organizations, we believe there is a root “skill” that not only influences all others, but when mastered, enables people—especially students—to master themselves and succeed. In this episode, Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak discuss the one soft skill that can make or break a person and how you can develop

Mental health issues were already mounting among those in Generation Z, but the global pandemic has taken its toll and left them in worse mental and emotional health than ever. In this episode, Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak share four mental health and wellness practices you can start with your students. Resources: Stressed Out eBook & Habitudes for Social & Emotional

Although millions of teachers, students, and parents would say the abrupt transition to remote learning over a year ago was problematic, many are now preparing for more of it going into the 2021-22 school year. In this episode, Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak share seven ideas to employ if remote or hybrid learning doesn't go away next school year. Resources: Blog

After reviewing the data on members of Generation Z in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and this past year overall, we have curated ten characteristics summarized by two-word terms that will help you wrap your arms around their reality. In this episode, Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak share ten defining terms for Generation Z. Resources: The Pandemic Population & Generation

It's impossible for today's students to completely avoid the everyday stressors that come with life in school today. But what if there was a way to allow those stressors to lead students together rather than fall apart? In this episode, Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak share five practices to help your students make stress work for them. Resources: Habitudes for Social

Although we like to think humans are logical creatures, we don’t respond proportionately as the needs become greater. We are sensitized to risk by our feelings, not necessarily our minds.  There is a fine line between feeling engaged and feeling overwhelmed inside our brains. So, how do we convince ourselves to engage in compassionate acts for others? In this episode, Tim Elmore

Teaching middle school students can be difficult. The students are in a unique season of life that makes it challenging for educators to practically develop social-emotional skills in them. In this episode, Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak discuss effective ways you can teach social-emotional learning skills to middle school students. Resources: SEL Curriculum for Middle School Students Contact: podcast@growingleaders.com Social Media: @GrowingLeaders, @TimElmore

One problem many adults are currently seeing in the youngest generation is the lack of mental toughness. Some might say that mental toughness is actually becoming rare in our world today. It has been defined as “the ability to resist, manage and overcome doubts, worries, concerns, and circumstances that prevent you from succeeding, or excelling at a performance outcome that

Over the last year, we have been affected psychologically, even if we’ve remained healthy physically in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. Consider the changes we’ve had thrust upon us in one year’s time, including a pandemic, protests, pay reductions, polarized politics, and panic attacks from today’s kids. In the course of time, our realities took a psychological toll on