Healthy Teen Life

Why do you feel worse after scrolling, how do you tell if a text is a scam, how to stop comparing yourself on social media, and how do you prove to your parents you can handle your phone? All the answers to these questions are part of learning media literacy for teens. In this episode we're joined by Jennifer Berger, founder of Ready Set Screen and creator of the Social Media Driver’s License, who shares simple ways to check in with your emotions, spot AI images and fake influencer advice, handle scam texts and gaming chat red flags, and show your parents you can manage your phone. This is a "how to" episode that will give you answers and quick solutions for safer media surfing.Resources mentioned:Ready Set Screen: https://readysetscreen.org/Social Media Driver’s License: https://www.socialmediadriverslicense.org/A nonprofit, self-paced program for ages 8 to 15, about 5 to 6 hours total in short video segments of around 25 minutes, with a companion audio course for parents.Snopes.com for checking whether something is trueCollege Countdown Roadmap - A free phase-by-phase guide to getting your high school senior to college and ready for life once they’re there — from applications to move-in day.Free Clarity Call with LeslieMentioned in this episode:College Countdown RoadmapIf you’re a high school senior heading to college next fall, or you’re the parent of one, this one’s for you. I created a free College Countdown Roadmap, and it’s not your typical checklist. Yes, it walks you through the logistics, from applications all the way to move-in day. But it also covers what no checklist does: the real-life skills your student needs to actually thrive once they’re on campus. Parents, it takes the “did we forget something?” off your plate. Students, it helps you walk in feeling ready instead of scrambling. Don’t wait until move-in week to figure this out. Grab the roadmap link in the show notes and download it right now.

You’ve may have heard the name Andrew Tate, or references to Incels, but do you know what the manosphere actually is? In part 2 of this series, Dr. Leonard Sax, author of Boys Adrift, breaks down how influencers reach boys online, why video games are so hard to put down, and how much gaming is too much. Includes what teens should know and what parents can do tonight. Mature topics, listener discretion is advised. Part 2 of 2.Resources mentioned:Boys Adrift (3rd edition-2026) by Dr. Leonard SaxCollege Countdown Roadmap - A free phase-by-phase guide to getting your high school senior to college and ready for life once they’re there — from applications to move-in day.Free Clarity Call with LeslieMentioned in this episode:College Countdown RoadmapIf you’re a high school senior heading to college next fall, or you’re the parent of one, this one’s for you. I created a free College Countdown Roadmap, and it’s not your typical checklist. Yes, it walks you through the logistics, from applications all the way to move-in day. But it also covers what no checklist does: the real-life skills your student needs to actually thrive once they’re on campus. Parents, it takes the “did we forget something?” off your plate. Students, it helps you walk in feeling ready instead of scrambling. Don’t wait until move-in week to figure this out. Grab the roadmap link in the show notes and download it right now.

Teen boys are falling behind in school and young men are checking out at work, and a lot of guys don’t know why they're unmotivated. In part 1 of this two-part series, Leslie talks with Dr. Leonard Sax, family physician, psychologist, and author of Boys Adrift, about the effects of porn, AI porn apps, and AI girlfriends. The discussion covers porn addiction among boys, how to stop watching porn, relationships, consent education, and conversations for parenting teen boys. Mature topics, including a sexual assault case in the news. Next episode: Part 2 - Video games and the Manosphere.Resources mentioned:Boys Adrift (3rd edition-2026) by Dr. Leonard SaxCollege Countdown Roadmap - A free phase-by-phase guide to getting your high school senior to college and ready for life once they’re there — from applications to move-in day.Free Clarity Call with Leslie

Feeling stressed all the time and not sure what to do about it? Here’s what almost nobody tells you: stress isn’t the problem. Stress is actually your body’s check engine light. In this solo episode, Leslie breaks down what’s really driving your stress and shares three simple habits to start before midterms and finals, that can make a significant difference.Resources mentioned:College Countdown Roadmap - free downloadEpisode 203: The 2-Minute Body Trick That Calms Your Anxiety FastNeed support right now? Talk to a parent, school counselor, coach, college health center, or doctor. If you ever feel hopeless or think about hurting yourself, call or text 988 any time, day or night.Mentioned in this episode:College Countdown RoadmapIf you’re a high school senior heading to college next fall, or you’re the parent of one, this one’s for you. I created a free College Countdown Roadmap, and it’s not your typical checklist. Yes, it walks you through the logistics, from applications all the way to move-in day. But it also covers what no checklist does: the real-life skills your student needs to actually thrive once they’re on campus. Parents, it takes the “did we forget something?” off your plate. Students, it helps you walk in feeling ready instead of scrambling. Don’t wait until move-in week to figure this out. Grab the roadmap link in the show notes and download it right now.

Ever wonder if your relationship with food is actually okay? In this episode, registered dietitian Jessica Setnick joins Leslie to talk about the early signs that eating has become more than just eating — the connection between stress and food, why body image gets distorted, and how to know when it's time to talk to someone. This one's for anyone who's ever felt confused, guilty, or "off" about food.[01:19] Why diet culture messaging is louder than it used to be[03:45] How eating problems actually start[07:31] Two questions to ask about any "should" message about your body [10:49] Why stress affects your eating[15:24] Yellow flags in how you think about food[19:01] Why your brain doesn't show you an accurate picture of your body[27:34] What's different about high school and college [31:43] How to know when it's time to get help[36:48] Can you actually have a healthy relationship with food?Resources mentioned:Freshman FormulaParent Masterclass - for parents of high school students planning to attend college or college freshman already on campusFree Clarity Call with Leslie

Why college can feel so hard and what to do about it.Feeling homesick weeks into college and wondering if something's wrong with you? It's not — and it's incredibly common. In this episode, Leslie breaks down "the dip," the very real adjustment phase that hits after the initial excitement of college fades, plus 3 beliefs that quietly fuel homesickness anxiety and 3 things you can actually do about it starting today.Listen now if you've been feeling off, out of place, or unsure whether what you're feeling is normal — it is, and this episode will help.Chapters:[00:00] Is it normal to feel this bad right now?[02:17] Why it hits so hard right now: "the dip"[04:12] 3 beliefs driving your homesickness anxiety[06:38] 3 things you can actually do about it[10:08] How long transition really takes[10:42] When it's more than homesickness — getting extra support[11:40] Free resources for you and your parentsResources mentioned:Episode 197: What Nobody Tells Freshmen About the First Semester of CollegeFree Clarity Call with LeslieFree "Four Conversations" Guide for parents

Been going to therapy for months and still feel stuck? You're not alone — and it might not be you. In this episode, Dr. Stacey Krauss explains why weekly one-on-one therapy doesn't work for many teens and college students, how group therapy and higher-frequency care can actually move things faster, and how to speak up when sessions aren't landing. If you've ever thought "therapy just isn't for me," this one might change your mind.Chapters:[00:00] When therapy feels like it's going nowhere[01:33] Meet Dr. Stacey Krauss[02:40] What to do when therapy isn't enough[04:23] Why one bad fit makes people quit therapy[05:41] Speaking up when sessions aren't working[07:40] How group therapy shifts the dynamic[09:29] Mental fatigue and bouncing between therapists[11:42] What group therapy is actually like[13:29] Why session frequency matters[15:22] Fitting it into a packed schedule[20:51] Who group therapy works best for[23:16] When individual therapy is the better fit[24:55] How to find group therapy options[28:07] College mental health services as a starting point[29:48] Dr. Krauss's final advice: start with your future visionAbout the guest:Dr. Stacey Krauss is CEO of Transitions Counseling and Consulting, an intensive mental health clinic helping adolescents and families navigate severe clinical crises without hospital stays. She's a double board-certified clinical psychologist, Bronze Star recipient, and former Chief of Behavioral Health at Fort Bragg, where she led the Army's largest behavioral health program, overseeing mental health services for thousands of soldiers and their families. She now applies that crisis expertise to adolescent care, helping teens and parents understand when IOP or PHP may be the right level of support between weekly therapy and hospitalization.Resources mentioned:Transitions Counseling and ConsultingDr. Stacey Krauss on LinkedInConnect with Leslie:Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here for support helping your high school teen or college student build healthy life skills and independence for college and beyond.Website: leslierosecoaching.comInstagram: instagram.com/leslierosecoachingFacebook: facebook.com/leslierosecoachingDisclaimer

Stuck in a loop of "I need to do better," "I need to be more organized," "I need to stop procrastinating"? In this episode, we flip the question. Instead of asking what you need to fix, ask who you actually want to be — and why that one shift changes everything about how you make decisions. Leslie breaks down a simple 4-step framework plus two action steps you can start today to discover who you want to be.[00:00] Why "I need to do better" is the wrong question[02:21] Your daily choices are building your identity[03:39] Step 1: Know Yourself[05:09] Quick mention: The Freshman Formula[06:01] Step 2: Trust Yourself[07:27] Step 3: Choose Yourself[08:53] Step 4: Lead Yourself[09:51] Coming back to the question: who do you want to be?[10:42] Your 2-step action plan for this week

Dealing with roommate drama right now? You're not alone — approximately 7 out of 10 college students go through some version of it. In this episode, I break down the 3 phases every roommate relationship hits (honeymoon, annoyance, and get-along-or-bust), the one communication shift that actually defuses conflict, and what to do if it's truly not working -- there are options like a roommate agreement. Plus my own freshman year roommate story and what I wish I'd known sooner.What you'll hear:[00:00] The "are we fighting?" moment every freshman knows [01:56] Reality check — how common roommate conflict actually is [02:36] For high schoolers: how to pick a good roommate before move-in [04:34] For current students: why getting along actually matters [05:44] The 3 phases: honeymoon, annoyance, get-along-or-bust [08:44] Quick mention: The Freshman Formula [09:33] The 4 things that actually fix roommate friction [11:32] Worst case scenario — RA, agreements, room changes [12:33] The one takeaway to rememberRESOURCE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Freshman Formula detailsConnect with Leslie:Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie HERE to help your teen or young adult build healthy habits, confidence, and prepare for the transition to college so they can live well, Follow me on Instagram: @leslierosecoachingSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us reach more teens, college students and parents who need these insights. Thanks for your support and see you next week!

Ever notice your shoulders creep up to your ears when you're stressed, even when nothing's actually wrong? Your body still thinks it's being chased by a tiger. In this episode, somatic practice expert Annie Vinje breaks down what's really happening in your nervous system when you're anxious — and simple, science-backed ways to calm it down in real time, no 20-minute meditation required.Listen now to find a somatic reset you can actually stick with.Then leave a comment - what tip was most helpful for you?[02:10] What your body does when you're stressed[04:17] Why daily somatic practice matters, not just on hard days[06:10] Why this generation of teens especially needs this[10:09] Doom scrolling vs. "hope questing" on social media[14:58] Simple body check-ins you can do anywhere[18:18] The breathing technique that resets your nervous system[21:21] Meditation myths — it doesn't have to look "perfect"[23:14] Finding your thing: yoga, journaling, and restorative rest[29:07] Alternate nostril breathing to wake up your brainRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Annie's website: annievinje.comWhy am I tired checklist (free)Connect with Leslie:Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie HERE to help your teen or young adult make healthy choices on their own.Website: leslierosecoaching.comFollow me on Instagram: @leslierosecoachingSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us reach more teens, college students and parents who need these insights. Thanks for your support and see you next week!Disclaimer