The Oh, shift! for Teens Podcast - Oh, shift!: Recent Episodes
Mark Tucker
The best podcast for parents of teens and the best podcast for teen advocates. The show that's dedicated to providing insights, tips and outside the box thinking when it comes to shaping the lives of teens. Hosted by author and award winning educator Mark Tucker, each week a thought-leader in the field helps tackle questions that will help you better understand your teens and help them achieve success.
Mark is joined by 17-year old Dylan Morgan to continue the conversation about setting teems up for success. Dylan gives his perspective on the benefits of being mindful about the activities teens involve themselves in, as well as whom they choose to be friends with. He also compares his list of values with those outlined by his mother in the previous episode.
Mark teams up with Sheril Morgan to begin a two-part series analyzing how to set teens up for success in the modern age. The two speak about setting values and helping shape the influences that affect our kids. They also discuss the role of character development in creating a common language and strategy for success.
The Executive Director of PATH - Donna Golob – joins Mark for a candid conversation about when it’s important to discuss sex with our kids. The two cover why it is challenging for adults to bring up the subject as well as how and when to approach our kids.
Mark teams up with author and psychotherapist Stephanie Bien to discuss how to get our teens to take more responsibility for themselves. Stephanie offers listeners the six steps to problem solving and explains how these steps support both adults and teens.
Mark welcomes the Director of the Behavioral Health & Family Studies Institute Alice Jordan-Miles to discuss current trends around suicide and what adults can do to help kids. Alice also alerts parents to new social media that have led to a spike in teen suicides.
Jodi Grant, the Executive Director of the Afterschool Alliance, joins Mark to discuss the growing importance of after school programs in the United States. The two talk about the diverse opportunities that after school programs offer youth. They also address Washington DC’s current attitude towards funding these programs and what youth advocates can do to help the situation.
Mark is joined by after school expert Dr. Andi Fletcher to discuss the topic of teens and sports. Dr. Fletcher sheds light on the advantages of keeping kids engaged athletically and how sports can benefit youth. The two discuss the role for parents in finding balance between supporting the athletic endeavors of youth while drawing out the positive aspects that sports have to offer.
Mark welcomes certified health coach Cindy Trow to the show to discuss the importance of health and nutrition for our youth. They discuss the impact of eating healthy and give simple tips to help adults support healthy habits. The also talk about the importance of sleep and inform listeners of the impact that health and nutrition has on us and our kids.
Mark welcomes therapist and speaker Nancy Grabe to discuss the challenge that many adults share with transitioning their approach to kids as they go through their teenage years. Nancy points out the resulting breakdown of communication that can occur and how that can leave teens vulnerable to common pitfalls. She also points out the value of listening rather than trying to always be giving our kids lessons and working on our tendency to overreact to what we’re hearing.
In this episode Dr. Alicia Farrell joins Mark to discuss the balance between maintaining rules with kids while allowing for the freedom for teens to flourish. Dr. Farrell talks about setting boundaries and allowing teens to be collaborators in their own consequences. The two discuss how parents that are having challenges with their teens can begin to find new ways to successfully communicate.
In this episode Mark invites Keith Senzer back to the show to discuss the topic of introducing religion to our kids. Keith discusses how his faith affects his parenting and how important spiritual traditions are to his family. Mark gives some background to explain his approach on religion. The two speculate on the possibility of whether religion might be useful to teens even if their parents are not religious.
Mark welcomes Program Director Joy Sweeney to the show to discuss the topic of teen addiction – how to prevent it and what to do if our teens struggle with addictions. Joy discusses the effectiveness of CLUE – communication, love, understanding and education and how parents and advocates can use this tool to support their kids.
In this episode Mark is joined by coach and speaker Calvalyn Day to discuss the topic of spanking children. The two speculate why people use this form of punishment and what some alternative methods of discipline are. They also discuss how punishment relates to teens, how to successfully set boundaries and how to begin taking charge with teens when boundaries have not necessarily been established.
This week Mark is joined by Melle Richardson, the director of UPLIFT, to discuss the topic of helping our teens make good decisions when it comes to drugs, tobacco and alcohol. They talk about why kids are using and how parents and teen advocates can help youth come up with a plan to not give in to peer pressure. The two go on to suggest when parents should get involved and Melle shares information for those wanting to gather effective resources for their own prevention program.
On this episode Mark is joined by Deena Corso, a juvenile services division director in Portland, Oregon. The two discuss the line between normal teen risk-taking behavior and criminal behavior. They give parents the opportunity to consider what’s important when monitoring their teens and effective ways to get involved to keep their kids from going in a negative direction.
This week Mark is joined by international speaker and best-selling author Jennifer Powers to talk about her experience as a step-mother. This special episode is a must for folks who are in or are thinking of joining a blended family. Jen talks about having tried to approach step parenting with logic and dealing with the resulting pain and rejection, plus the strain to her marriage. She goes on to discuss a new phase of discovery and the realization that her experience is not at all unique. She points listeners to resources that can help them find peace in the home.
Mark is joined by inspirational speaker David Flood to discuss the question of what it means for teens to be “at-risk.” The two contrast the challenges teens face in this modern age with those of previous generations. David discussions the difference between motivating kids and inspiring them and how we can empower our youth to look inside and find the fortitude to face life’s challenges successfully.
In this episode Mark is joined by leadership and education expert Dr. Mark Bertrand to discuss the many advantages of teenagers holding a job. The advantages include identity development, increased confidence, independence, discipline, responsibility, time-management and exposure to work that utilizes their own innate talents. They also talk about balancing a job with the many other expectations that teens are expected to manage.
It can be a parent’s biggest fear – what do we do when our kids stop listening to us? Speaker and song-writer Sheira Brayer joins Mark to discuss how to talk to our children in a way that opens up communication. They talk about tools found in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and how they can be applied to improving the relationship we have with our teens.
In this episode Mark is joined by the Teen Whisperer - Montana-based author and therapist Mike Linderman discusses his unique approach to working with the country’s toughest teens. The two discuss setting boundaries with youth while dealing with our own emotions, as well as bringing calm to hormonally charged kids. The conversation provides tons of valuable insights to parents and teen advocates wanting to create relationship with their teens that are strong and stable.
In this episode nationally recognized expert Dr. Andria Fletcher joins Mark for a fascinating conversation about critical skills that the parents of teens and teen advocates need to bring to our youth. They focus on several areas including teaching youth communication skills which lead to strong interpersonal relationships, helping teens become exceptional problem-solvers, and supporting critical thinking so youth can separate fact from fiction.
In this episode Mark teams with the Director of the National Center for Juvenile Justice Dr. Melissa Sickmund. The two discuss the current changes taking place in the world of juvenile justice as well as the legal ramifications for teens who are entering adulthood. Dr. Sickmund explains the judicial system’s view of adolescents and goes on to give parents and teen advocates advice for teens that find themselves in legal trouble.
In this episode Mark is joined by speaker and trainer Keith Senzer to discuss the topic of helping kids build confidence. They examine the way that parents raise their children in this era and how it has changed. They discuss parents’ efforts to protect and support their children and how it can be done in a way that builds integrity, independence, and character. They also announce a special opportunity for teen advocates coming next August.
In this special episode, Mark teams up with award winning educator and author Dr. LaMarr Darnell Shields to discuss the timely topic of supporting teens of color in America. The conversation sheds light on what unique challenges teens of color face and how to meet those challenges. Dr. Shields explains specific tactics that will benefit youth advocates as they engage in the tremendous task of making lasting change in the lives of our youth.
In this episode Mark is joined by expert coach Jude Weber who sheds light on the topic of teen addiction. Jude draws from her own experience recovering from a severe eating disorder and explains how her road to recovery became a catalyst for the work she does with youth. The two discuss why teens are susceptible to addiction and what adults can do to help them.
In this episode, author and study-skills expert Dr. Steven Jones joins Mark from Villanova University. The two contrast the typical technique of pushing kids to improve their performance as opposed to pulling them towards a brighter future. Dr. Jones sheds light on how we as parents can support teens and prepare them for success.
Mark teams with speaker and facilitator Bob McNeil to talk about vulnerability with our teens.