Here's The Thing...

We have been talking a lot about college recently.  BUT... what if college isn't for you?  What if you plan to take a gap year? Or...DON'T EVEN KNOW what you might want to do after high school?!  This episode shares three questions that are a great way to start a conversation with your teen, or for then to start thinking themselves about what they want to do.  BONUS FOR THE PARENTS!...stay tuned til the end for a bonus question.   -- HAVE QUESTIONS or TOPIC SUGGESTIONS? Connect with me at kimlukens.com (where you can also sign up for newsletters) or on instagram: kim_lukens and TikTok: @kimlukens   Quick Episode Summary:  Do you need help with some self-discovery?  Free resources that could help you along your college journey One of Kim’s favorite questions to ask  The workforce is ever-evolving How to avoid the “I should” mindset  The power of open-ended questions  

Welcome back to Here's The Thing! Today we are continuing our series on "How they got here" by interviewing the amazing Amy Balowitz Miller.  Hear how she went from confused to confident in her career path after high school and beyond.    LINKS: amysartpalette.com themotherdaughterartproject.com FB and IG: amysartpalette You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Welcome Amy Amy’s journey and how she got here today When Amy found something she was passionate about You don’t need to know how to do everything When Amy knew she could do it, but needed help.  Finding a coach at any age Wisdom from an empty nester  How to connect with Amy

If you remember Melissa from Season 1, you'll remember she is open and honest and tells it like she sees it. Since you heard her last, she is now also working with teens! Here how she got here in this episode. To connect with Melissa after the show: Find her on FB and IG The ReCreated podcast and Marigold Wellness Collective on IG @marigoldwellnesscollective and at marigoldsharon.com   You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Welcome back, Melissa! When Melissa started choosing her career  You are allowed to evolve  How Melissa gets to do what she loves every Be brave and take action on your dreams Be the best boss you can be When Kim lost her job What Melissa has learned from her younger employees  Your mistakes or bumper stickers don’t define you

How did Shelli Varela go from a manicurist to a firefighter to a teen mentor? Much the same as many of the guests this season who didn't start out with the goal of working with teens. Join us as Shelli shares how it "feels" when she notices the next best thing and what you can do now to tune in to yourself. She believes that not all gifts come wrapped in bows and that your body will never lie to you. LINKS: Connect with Shelli after the podcast on IG, FB and TikTok: @shellivarela You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Welcome, Shelli Varela! When Shelli had to pay for college  The dangers of putting yourself in a box Why not you? Pay attention to what brings you alive  Tuning in to your body  Starting with possibilities  Give yourself permission to fail 

Dorene Olsen is back with us to share more with us! Your professional life could have many twists and turns, you never know where your work and passions could take you. In this episode, Dorene will share her career journey to becoming a brand expert. Teens, this episode is exactly what you need to hear if you are starting to feel the pressure of August right around the corner.    LINKS: Connect with her after the episode on FB Messenger @doreneolsen and by joining her FB community, BrandDelicious Trailblazers   You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Welcome, Dorene Olsen! How Dorene  journey started Doren’s journey to finding the right college  How that comes naturally could be a clue to your purpose Be sure to check your email Understanding how your employers communicate  Success is not a linear path How to blog out the negative voices Asking for feedback and keeping an open mind You don’t have to have all the pieces by August 

Betsy Cadel is a college essay specialist with over 30 years of experience as a writer and marketing expert. Her company, College Essay Helpers, works with high school juniors to write compelling essays that will impress admissions officers to increase their chances of getting into their dream school while reducing stress, family tension and feeling overwhelmed. As a former advertising copywriter, she’s sold everything from trucks to tampons and brings that marketing savvy to her role as an essay coach not just to help students tell their most authentic, deepest story, but to position them so that they stand out from thousands of other applicants. She’s written two parenting resource books and scripted over 100 how-to tech tutorials for time-strapped moms. Betsy’s also an empty nester and mom to a college junior. She lives in New York City with her husband and Aussie terrier, Pixel. Visit collegeessayhelpers.com to learn more about how she’s helped so many families successfully navigate the college essay process.   LINKS: Resources referenced in today's episode: hwww.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2021/article/mobile/field-of-degree-and-careers.htm https://www.bls.gov/ooh   Social Media Links: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/collegeessayhelpers FB: www.facebook.com/collegeessayhelpers IG: www.instagram.com/collegeessayhelpers Clubhouse: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/@betsycadel Website: collegeessayhelpers.com    You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Get to know Betsy How detours can become on-ramps How parents can delay the college application process  You don’t have to have it all figured out Betsy’s best advice for parents  Where to start with the college process  Your skills could be a clue to your calling How a school newspaper can tell you everything you need Create a schedule that is manageable 

If you only ever share one episode with EVERYONE you know, let it be this one!! It is Norry Ascroft's goal to get his FREE book, The Truth About Bullying into as many hands as possible! When it comes to bullying, Norry believes that we have been staring at the carpet and what we really need to do is look at the foundation. And his passion for helping youth runs deep. And I couldn't be more honored to help him share this information that so directly aligns with my deep passion for empowering youth around this very subject. To connect with Norry and to get your free copy, visit: The Truth About Bullying is available to download from the website, youthpotential.mykajabi.com The paperback version is also available on Amazon.com for $6.48: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B1G8J9Q You can also find him on Instagram @norryascroft You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY  Why Norry is passionate about helping teens Dripping feeding the truth and how it works The real reason why kids turn into bullies The poker chip theory  Why Norry never wants to hear the story  How the UK handles bullying compared to the US The importance of good self talk Our words have power

Ben Rein is back and he is now officially Dr. Ben Rein, PhD! He joins me (literally) on the road to his new position at Stanford University. He shares what he has been up to since joining us last, the future of ASC and his passion for continuing to reach a hand down to help the next generation of scientists figure it out!   You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens Have Q's for Ben? Connect with him at: email: benreinresearch@gmail.com or Instagram: @the.brein QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Welcome back! What to expect in season four What Ben has been up to lately Why we don’t dream every night Can dreams truly be forgotten The importance of rum cycles Why do some events seem to last longer than others How a nightmare made Ben decide to switch careers The scariest part of changing your destiny How high schoolers can start getting real job experience How you can connect directly with Ben

It was so hard to choose just three favorite moments from the first three seasons. All of my guests were amazing and have such a passion for what they do. Find out what those three moments were in today's episode. And make sure to let me know what your favorite moments were from the first thirty episodes. You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Can you believe this is the end of season three? Kim’s favorite moment from season one A funny update on Kim’s lost camera  What Kim learned from Abigail Kim’s favorite moment from season three Season four coming soon!  

Michelle Berkey Hill is back to talk with me about productivity hacks. We have both recognized that we are editing behaviors right now to create better results and realized, teens can start to learn what works for them NOW! Join us as we share three ideas for where to get started hacking productivity.   You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY   Welcome back Michelle Hill! Three productivity hacks every teen needs to know The secret to having long-lasting change  The “sticky note” tip The Pomodoro technique and how to beat procrastination  An app that makes focusing fun and rewarding  The secret to setting yourself up for success  A quick way to know what kind of planner you should use  A few great app suggestions to use for planning  Does timing matter in planning? The one thing you should give yourself permission to do  A tip on how to keep creativity flowing  Michelle’s final advice for teens

Often times picking the right college has a very academic focus and can seem overwhelming. The great news is, you don't have to have it all figured out to discover your right fit! Join me as I talk with Dorene Olsen about her unique process for picking a college and when you should start looking. You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY What Dorene does to make college hunting fun At what age does personal branding start? How branding helps the college process Unique perspectives on college hunting Tips for the first steps of looking for a college Personality tests’ role in the college process What you can do in high school to make college easier The power of belief statements What is important to you? The ‘notebook’ tip It’s ok to not know what you want to do The power of being clear on your mission Dorene’s tips for overwhelmed freshman The power of staying curious A healthy view on testing at sophomore and junior level Tips as you graduate college Kim and Dorene’s tips for college graduates Dorene’s tips for teens

Are you finding yourself overwhelmed or overscheduled, OR BOTH? Join me as we talk about it what we recognize has and hasn't worked. HAVE QUESTIONS OR A TOPIC YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO DISCUSS? LINKS: You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   My guest today Chantel has some new touchpoints! Connect with her at: Chantel’s Tiktok: @genxtrachantel Chantel’s FB: Chantel Ferraro D2B Photography & Productions: www.d2bphotography.com D2B on Instagram: www.instagram.com/d2bphotography D2B on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dream2beimagellc Chantel’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/genxtrachantel QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Chantel’s topic of the day Handling life when it’s too busy The definition of being busy Recognizing what is and what is not inside of your control 2020 changed all of us We should have the space to figure things out Projecting on your teenager Writing your thoughts down There is no “right” way to do things Teens, be honest with your parents.

Just like all of us, our teens are each unique. So where one teen feels comfortable talking to you might not be a good spot for another one. Join me as we discuss where each of our own teens opens up and some of the do's and don'ts once they do.   HAVE QUESTIONS OR A TOPIC YOU WOULD LOVE ME TO DISCUSS? Connect with Kim through DM on IG @kim_lukens and on TikTok @kimlukens   LINKS: You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   My guest today Chantel has some new touchpoints! Connect with her at: Chantel’s Tiktok: @genxtrachantel Chantel’s FB: Chantel Ferraro D2B Photography & Productions: www.d2bphotography.com D2B on Instagram: www.instagram.com/d2bphotography D2B on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dream2beimagellc Chantel’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/genxtrachantel QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Where do you talk to your kids? The foundation of good communication is relationship  Are you asking open-ended questions?    Things to avoid when talking to your kid Being honest with your kids is key Parents are growing as much as their kids Things to do when talking to your children What to do when your kids are  What’s your one thing for today?

We cannot be more excited for the opportunities that being a part of Gen Z brings to our teens. But what we were not prepared for was how the fear of failure would influence some of their decisions. Join us as we share our personal experiences with failure as well as our perspective as parents.   LINKS: You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   You can connect with Chantel at: Chantel’s Tiktok: @officialgenxmomchantel Chantel’s FB: Chantel Ferraro Chantel’s Instagram www.instagram.com/official_genxmomchantel   Chantel Ferraro D2B Photography & Productions: www.d2bphotography.com D2B on Instagram: www.instagram.com/d2bphotography D2B on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dream2beimagellc   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Welcome back! What to expect today Gen Z and the fear of failure  Vanity metrics and the future There is more to social media than we thought  Chantels daughter and fear of posting No one can define you Why GenZ is so incredible  Emotional intelligence  Are the stories in your mind real?

Chantel Ferraro will be joining me as a guest co-host for all of Season Three! Join us as we share from our individual perspectives, off some blind-reactions and just have fun as we talk about what we wish we knew as teens and what we are still learning as parents.   LINKS: You can connect with Kim at: TikTok @kimlukens  or can find all of her connections spots through on https://linktr.ee/kimlukens   You can connect with Chantel at: Chantel’s Tiktok: @officialgenxmomchantel Chantel’s FB: Chantel Ferraro Chantel’s Instagram www.instagram.com/official_genxmomchantel   Chantel Ferraro D2B Photography & Productions: www.d2bphotography.com D2B on Instagram: www.instagram.com/d2bphotography D2B on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dream2beimagellc   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY What to expect this season New year same use Setting S.M.A.R.T. goals The fear of change Creating a safe place for kids to be vulnerable Are you changing for you or other people? What do you want to let go of? What do you want to keep? The result of trying new things Get to know Chantel

She is back! You might remember Abigail from Season 1, but what you might not know is that I met her on TikTok! She is back to hang with me and share what she's been up to and I couldn't think of a better way to close out Season 2.   LINKS: Connect with Kim on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Welcome back, Abigail! What Abigail has been up to When Abigail went viral Abigail’s advice for all teens Connect with Abigail

Chantel is a GenX Momma of 3 who specializes in high school senior & personal brand photography, looking to make a difference by sharing her story. She says "I’ve overcome a lot to get where I am today and want to be a truthful voice in a very filtered world about body image and sexual abuse recovery". In this part 2 of her 2-part episode, we chat about Snapchat Dysmorphia, Positivity vs Truth, and the lost art of story telling.   LINKS: You can connect with her at: Dream2Be Image, LLC Authentic*Original*Unique www.dream2beimage.com Follow Dream2Be Instagram: www.instagram.com/d2bphotography Like Dream2Be on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dream2beimagellc Follow Chantel’s Instagram www.instagram.com/genxmommachantel   Connect with Kim on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY The answer to your cliffhanger Taking your power back Snapchat dysmorphia Why it is important for parents to stay relevant Chantel’s thoughts on the TikTok ban What keeps Chantel motivated You are not for everyone

Chantel is a GenX Momma of 3 who specializes in high school senior & personal brand photography, looking to make a difference by sharing her story. She says "I’ve overcome a lot to get where I am today and want to be a truthful voice in a very filtered world about body image and sexual abuse recovery".   LINKS: In this part 1 of her 2-part episode, we chat about what she loves about TikTok, the movement of positivity, and the filters which teens are looking through. You can connect with her at: Dream2Be Image, LLC Authentic*Original*Unique www.dream2beimage.com Follow Dream2Be Instagram: www.instagram.com/d2bphotography Like Dream2Be on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dream2beimagellc Follow Chantel’s Instagram www.instagram.com/genxmommachantel   Connect with Kim on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY What to expect today How Kim met Chantel Why Chantel loves TikTok When Chantel went viral One of the best parts about being in GenX The popularity of positivity The problem with sheltering your children How Chantel makes her clients feel comfortable e in photoshoots

Nicole is a food and travel content creator and the spirit behind Nicole the Nomad. She loves making people smile and teaching people how to cook as she travels the world encouraging people to #DoStuff. When she's not producing videos for her YouTube and TikTok channels, she loves finding new ice cream shops and going to Disneyland. LINKS: Connect with Kim on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Meet Nicole Renard Nicole’s Tik Tok & smoothie bowl journey  Travel blogging during the pandemic Mindset depending on which social media platform you use What teens should be aware of on Tik Tok Approaching social media as a job Advice pertaining to the pitfalls of comparison How the Miss America competition changed Nicole’s health Looking a certain way isn’t necessarily an indicator of health Eating healthy can be fun Nicole’s final thought

Judith Rupp describes herself as "a tiktoker who tries to share humor and positivity". She thinks we should all embrace what makes us different, practice gratefulness, and look for the humor in life. LINKS: You can connect with her on TikTok @judith.rupp Connect with Kim on TikTok @kimlukens, or you can also message us on IG @heresthethingteenpodcast.   QUICK EPISODE SUMMARY Meet Judith Rupp Getting personal on TikTok Why Kim loves TikTok Learning how to take the good and the bad What Judith wishes she knew when she was young Doing things in your own time Don't get wrapped up in the numbers   Advocate for yourself Last thoughts