Are we, as adults, overly fixated on our children’s happiness and success? Research suggests that our obsession with these goals might be leading to unintended consequences. We need to reconsider our parenting or leadership priorities and strive to create environments that nurture not only achievement but also empathy, connection, and fulfillment. In this episode, Tim and Andrew explore the findings […]

We live in a world that has constant concerns about artificial intelligence, gun violence’s impact on mental health, and gender disparities in schools. By understanding these issues and taking action, we can create better learning environments for students. We have curated recent findings from the Pew Research Center, Gallup, the CDC, and other sources to give our listeners a big-picture […]

These days, we are reading about school decisions regarding smartphone use, ranging from banning portable devices to displaying laissez-faire attitudes regarding phones. Many educators and support staff feel that students’ constant access to social media on their smartphones harms their mental well-being and hinders their ability to learn. Some educators go so far as to say that students are addicted […]

When empathy grows into compassion, it becomes more helpful for both you and the person for whom you demonstrate it. Empathy feels good to give, but you may feel someone’s pain so deeply that you’re not even able to act. Compassion allows you to practice metacognition and rise above the pain so you can treat the need. In this episode, […]

Every teacher, school administrator, coach, youth leader, and parent we know wants to help their kids prepare for the life that awaits them as adults. We want them to be ready to embark on a career after graduation with a sense of self-assured confidence, to see the big picture, and to bet on themselves as they enter job interviews. Believe […]

Leadership across generations is hard, but we believe success in cross-generational leadership begins with listening and empathy. That’s what we want to do in our everyday lives. Today, we have a very special episode for our listeners. Joining Tim and Andrew is Growing Leaders’ Research Coordinator Cam Turner! Cam is a brilliant leader, and he is also a member of […]

Today, as we all know, it’s easy to hide behind a screen and post something that seems courageous, but leaders realize we can and must do better. **I now believe you can’t be a good leader without courage**. Peter Drucker once said, “When you see a successful organization, you know that someone at some time made a courageous decision.” Our […]

Many educators and youth leaders struggle to motivate kids or to keep them engaged for any period of time. It’s worth periodically reminding yourself: that students, particularly those who may misbehave often, face struggles when they’re not in the classroom. Because of that, students should always be given a second chance to get their behavior in check. When we don’t […]

Most people view happiness as a positive emotion. Without thinking, we may say, “I wish I were happy all the time!” However negative emotions play a useful role in our lives. Happiness is not the goal and unhappiness is not the enemy. In this episode, Tim and Andrew discuss their top books of 2023 and stop to highlight the insightful […]

Christa Campbell is a Trustee Scholar and honors student at Boston University studying business strategy and innovation. Although she now lives far from home, Christa grew up in Gwinnett County in Georgia and always loves coming back and serving the community that gave so much to her. She has been passionate about service since she was young and has been […]

We live in a society that loves to “binge” on things we like. These can be addictions to drugs or alcohol, but they can also be simple pleasures like Netflix, TikTok, or even junk food. There’s a sort of “seesaw” or “teeter totter” inside our brains that goes up and down, releasing chemicals we need to remain stable. Feeling low, […]

Please be advised: The sound quality may be affected due to the podcast host and guest being in different locations. We still recommend that you listen to the amazing words of advice from our guest speaker because we believe it is incredibly relevant to the world we live in now. Thank you for your continuous support.   Brett Hagler is […]

Often, students become interested in solving a problem; later, they identify as an activist; and eventually, they become a leader. It begins with the desire to “right a wrong” and soon becomes much bigger than merely acting as an individual. It becomes about influencing others. Thanks to social media, an act of kindness or service can multiply. In this episode, […]

When asked, “What is the most important thing that needs to be addressed when you think about this upcoming school year?” two subjects that rose to the top of the list for parents, teachers, and administrators were the safety of the school building and addressing students’ mental health and emotional well-being. We all agree that mental health and emotional well-being […]

Dr. Jean Twenge is a Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University and is the author of several books including her latest entitled: “Generations: The Real Difference Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers and the Silent Generation.” Dr. Twenge frequently gives talks and seminars on generational differences and technology. Her audiences have included college faculty and staff, parent […]

Today many educators, coaches, and leaders look for a “life hack” or fresh ideas on how to keep often distracted students engaged in the fun of learning. When we better engage students, we help them to perform better. In this episode, Tim and Andrew give practical advice on how to keep students engaged in a world of distractions. Find out […]

Content Warning: To skip the mention of suicide, jump to 5:36. As teachers, parents, coaches, and youth workers watch young people (Gen Z and Gen Alpha) grow up, they’re seeing a distance in how they view life. Their perspective has evolved beyond where Gen X and Gen Y stood decades ago. These worldviews can be put into three categories: Pre-Modern […]

Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of nine books, including “Soundtracks,” “Your New Playlist,” and the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller “Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done.” When he’s not writing or recording his popular podcast, “All It Takes Is a Goal,” Acuff can be found on a stage as one of INC’s Top 100 Leadership […]

  Today we are experiencing a pandemic of loneliness. It’s global. And one of our interns this summer has been on a personal journey to discover the “human side” of this epidemic we all keep talking about. Kiera Colson was an intern with us at Growing Leaders this summer, but she actually started partnering with us last fall when she […]

When we bake a chocolate cake, we know there are essential ingredients that make the recipe work. For that matter, baking or cooking anything tasty is not random. There are fundamental ingredients that must be added to reach a flavorful outcome. Similarly, when leaders cultivate healthy, young leaders out of students, there are four ingredients that always go into the […]

Daniel H. Pink is the author of five New York Times bestsellers, including his latest, The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward. With Pink’s signature blend of big ideas and practical takeaways, captivating stories and crisp humor, The Power of Regret offers an urgent and indispensable guide for a life well lived. His other books include the […]

The negative effects of smartphones and social media are being recognized by today’s teens and many of them are not waiting for young adulthood to begin questioning the validity of their digital lifestyles. In this episode, Tim and Andrew talk about the many ways teens are starting to view their phones and how parents and educators can help to help […]

We all know that today’s young people are distrusting institutions and leaders in greater numbers today than ever before. Often our individual preferences take precedence over the needs and preferences of those around us. Because of these realities, it can be difficult to know how to have conversations with them about the importance of the social world around them. In […]

Dr. Gary Davison is a successful high school administrator and K-12 teacher. In his 33 years of service to students, he has developed dozens of young leaders into executive-level positions within the field of education. His proteges are leading schools and school systems all over the country. In this episode, Tim and Gary discuss the lessons he’s learned and some […]