After The Bell RINGS: Recent Episodes
Micah BARNES
Welcome to the "After the Bell RINGS" podcast. Here I chronicle my journey of building an after school program from 3 to 300. Plus interviews and stories of inspiration from youth programs around the world.
I switched careers from an editor at a TV station to an after school program leader to a high school teacher. The things I've learned that kids do in class will shock you! Plus, meet my new co-host..--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/micahdbarnes/support
I recently had a meeting with some of my executives who want me to take my youth program in a direction that I don't agree with. This meeting made me seriously re-think the way I do my job and, honestly, if I want to do it there.
One kid openly tells his brother to stop bullying him. Another kid knocks it out the park his first time to the stage.
My upcoming web series answers your questions and more. Submit your questions on IG @ micah_db
While leading a group of young leaders, I have to learn how each of them learns - and, trust me, they're not all the same. This philosophy helped me get to know the students. That and... listening. This episode comes from Chapter 8 of my book "Who Stole My Future?"
One of the most impactful things I've done recently was attend a budgeting and life skills workshop hosted by United Way. HS students were given a life card. They went around the room and patronized different booths, according to what they're life card said. I had the "Fun Stuff" booth - trips, dancing, gym, and other recreational activities. Their job was to purchase these things while staying within their budget. . I kinda feel guilty cuz I sold one teen into buying 2 trips to London and Hawaii worth about $2,700 total. HE WENT BANKRUPT. I talk about how self-esteem plays a role in why we buy stuff we can't afford.
When you talk bad about yourself, psychologists called it destructive self-talk. When you say good things, it's called constructive self-talk. I got a call from a friend, whose self-talk played a huge role in her life and death.
Hear how I encourage teens in my youth organization to reframe their perspective and see "negative" experiences as positive ones.
A personal experience with the "lonely kid" in Drone Camp - and then a book by a plastic surgeon - helped me realize why you have insecurities.
A group of 4th & 5th graders can NOW tell their friends and family, "I'm an author."
Hear the stories they told in their book (COMING SOON on Amazon!) and my process of teaching them how to write a book in 6 hours!
What happened when a drone collided with my face, and the comment of the "class clown".
Here's how you can create multiple podcast episodes from one event. Plus a valuable tip about events that fail.
I heard one of my favorite entrepreneurs advise a businessman to approach his business like he'd approach his family. So it made me rethink my strategy in developing my youth program. It gave me an idea I'm excited to put in place!
Listen up for a quick tool to pricing your programs accurately. Now, you can provide value to your clients and make money.
Plus, cooking classes for kids who go hungry, and more!
It breaks my heart to see young kids in jail, especially when some aren't even in high school yet. I got a chance to enter a juvenile detention center and expose teens to a life of hope outside those gray walls.
I spoke with award-winning author and National speaker Tim Bowers about the importance of one's environment, leaving a legacy, and a lot more messages for our youth!
Author and international speaker Leila Khan completely took over my podcast. And I want it back!
Have you ever had someone who kicked you when you were down? I tell the story of a Reverend and a counselor who did this to his own granddaughter.
I went to a career fair at a local high school and, instead of telling one student about my job, he made $40 off me. But it may have been the best $40 I've spent in 2019.
My story started as an attempt to prevent crime in my neighborhood, but I found out there's a bigger problem.
Throwback episode from 2017 after I'd quit my job to work on my book. I randomly walked up to a lady at a Florida park. This was the conversation we had.
Math Doctor Latreil Jackson has found a cure that nearly every teacher and student suffers from - how to make math simple and fun. Plus, Latreil walks me through an impromptu tutoring session.
Hear the story behind former MMA Fighter Gemma Sheehan's transition from fighting to teaching young girls how to fight. She uses fighting to teach girls assertiveness, self-confidence, and MORE!
Have you ever ordered pizza and the delivery guy charged more money than you had? This funny story turned into a program idea.
One weekness of my program was transportation. I found the solution in the people around me.
If you're a parent you need to hear this. I talked to the M.A.D.I.S.E.L group's Sandra Johnson. She specializes in family emotional wellness. Listen to the interesting points she makes on family power struggles and running our families like we run our businesses.
Hear one man's story of teaching character to kids from India and how he's using basketball as the vehicle.
Ashley Bendiksen is a domestic violence survivor and advocate for the prevention of dating violence, sexual assault, and bullying. She has a special message for young girls and boys. Take notes.
Hear how this Far Rockaway, Queens, NY actor uses improv activities to teach powerful life lessons to high school students. Dayo Olatokun is the founder of the Gifted & Purposed Alliance, Inc.
I spoke with Center Directors Ryan Schaffer and Annie Duong from Wellesley, Massachusetts about how they get kids excited about walking into their dojos. Plus, hear how coding helps kids build better relationships with their parents.
I'm adding more guests, more value, more stories, and more inspiration to this NEW season of my podcast. Just MORE MORE MORE!!! Heres a taste of the new menu.
Look around your home, your office, or the place you raise your kids (or host your after school program). Does your environment support your success? Do the people around you support your success? If not, do this.
Teen brothers in my after school program did a fun, impromptu podcast with an educational twist.
Cases of abuse can be all around you whether you see them or not. These red flags I encountered stunned me and could have ended up badly.
When plan A doesn't work, you have to go to plan B. And sometimes you must employ plans C and D.
My #1 goal in my professional life is to ignite a fire and empower a group of teens. My #2 goal is to help you build up your teens. I do this the same way you chop down a tree... Bit by bit. Eventually that tree will fall.
We use several FREE Marketing Moves and Tactics for our smoothie bar. Here are 5 that have worked for us. Hint: One is illustrated in the episode picture.
One of my teens has a tendency to give up easily on tasks. I saw an Instagram post that inspired me to help him not give up on his dreams... using a cool Halloween theme.
This new format is designed to keep kids engaged no matter what their schedule or their interest.
Become part of the community. Your relationship with the community goes way farther than just a $5 smoothie.
One little girl brought a smile to my face when she zoomed by our stand as we were closing. She yelled to her mom, "I want a Mango Tango!" Because we've been consistent in our schedule and our products, we're building relationships with members and guests.
I've just made my program 10x better simply by asking my Teen Leader what he wants to do. His answer was simple but impactful.
Every paremt or mentor has a fav mentoring story. Here's mine. A huge boost in self-esteem came from a simple game of catch.
Somebody posted this question on Quora. I chose to use a current experience to answer the question. I recently started coaching for the first time, but it felt like I'd done it 100s of times before.
There's no way in the world this kid is a leader. I know him. I know he's not a leader. He's shown me no leadership skills. But who am I to deny him the opportunity to be a leader?
We interviewed teen candidates for our smoothie bar, and ALL the candidates (3 - 13, 14, and 17 years old) were professionally dressed WITH resumes. Words can't express the hope I feel in these kids. The future looks bright around here. Who has a good deal on sunglasses?
In a recent interview, former Bulls guard BJ Armstrong said teammate Michael Jordan always approached the game as if it was tied 0-0. Each possession was 0-0. For those of us who don't have 6 NBA Championships, rather than get comfortable with our accomplishments, we should approach the day like its tied 0-0. We still have work to do.
After I ordered something using GrubHub, I went online to give a review. They laughed at me SO HARD for reading and writing reviews. Why do they only give "star" ratings and not value others experiences?
One of my teens is managing our smoothie store. He talked to the membership director inside the building and was incredibly nervous. What he did after the conversation was simply amazing. I felt like after proud big brother.
After a brief exchange with an adult, one of my teens told me he's tired of people "who don't work with teens" taking them for granted and not taking them seriously.
Few teenagers want to learn how to sew - and mine definitely didn't. But when they actually sat down to learn, ALL of them LOVED IT!
Allow your students to have creativity to call an audible. If you plan something, allow them to put their own spin on it. As long as you reach a mutual goal, let it ride. They'll appreciate you for accepting their creativity.
A friend asked me how she could build a program. Consider approaching a business, maybe a non-profit, and telling them your plan of execution. Create a win-win strategy. Here's how I built mine.
This changing landscape has presented some interesting effects on our kids' self-esteem.
If you're looking for a summer job, the YMCA in Duval County, Florida is looking for candidates for their summer camps.
I chatted on Instagram with one of my mentors from my teenage years. I forgot who I was because I left the city where I was raised. She reminded me and inspired me to go back.
If a student has emotional issues or quirks, you don't want him/her to be detrimental to others. Safety - physical, emotional, and mental - should always be present.
This journey started when I was 14. Now, 18 years later, I'm seeing my dream become a reality. There was a girl who walked into the room today. She challenged me to have a separate group of middle school students and HS students.
Documenting my journey as I try to go from 3 to 300 students in my after school program and build a Teen Center.