Want to be more confident, capable, and ready for real life? Stop letting other people do things for you that you can do yourself!In this episode, Joey shares how small acts of independence, like making your own lunch, keeping track of assignments, or doing your own laundry, train you to solve problems, handle responsibility, and become more resilient. You’ll hear how this mindset applies at home and at school, plus simple ways to start building your “self-sufficient” muscle today.Secret for an Awesome Life: If you want to be successful, don’t let other people do for you what you can do for yourself.--My gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to Hero, is available now! Go to www.sidekicktohero.com to start a two-week free trial.--Follow me on Instagram! www.instagram.com/sidekicktohero--Joey Mascio is a teen confidence coach and motivational speaker. He helps teens eliminate self-doubt, manage emotions, develop social skills, and achieve their goals. He was a middle school teacher and counselor for 7 years, a former Disneyland performer, and an experienced improv comedian. He uses his Masters in Education, Bachelors in Creative Writing, and two professional life coach certifications to teach powerful resilience tools and strategies to teens through humor and stories.
This week, I explain how the world—and your friend group—can fall into the “polarization cycle,” where one small disagreement turns into a major split. You’ll learn how to recognize when sides are being drawn, how you might be feeding the fire without realizing it, and how to step off the drama train with confidence and emotional strength. (Chapter 6 of the Coddling of the American Mind)Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com
Is your brain making things harder than they really are?In this episode, Joey tells the story of a teen who dreaded doing a simple merit badge… until he realized the task wasn’t hard, he just hated thinking about it. Joey breaks down why we all get stuck in what he calls “the first unpleasantness,” and how recognizing that mental trap can make hard things feel easier.Perfect for teens who avoid homework, chores, or anything that feels like a drag, this episode will teach you a simple mindset shift to move through resistance and get stuff done.Secret for an Awesome Life: Most times, the thought about doing the thing is worse than actually doing the thing.--My gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to Hero, is available now! Go to www.sidekicktohero.com to start a two-week free trial.--Follow me on Instagram! www.instagram.com/sidekicktohero--Joey Mascio is a teen confidence coach and motivational speaker. He helps teens eliminate self-doubt, manage emotions, develop social skills, and achieve their goals. He was a middle school teacher and counselor for 7 years, a former Disneyland performer, and an experienced improv comedian. He uses his Masters in Education, Bachelors in Creative Writing, and two professional life coach certifications to teach powerful resilience tools and strategies to teens through humor and stories.
This week, we’re busting the third Great Untruth: “Life is a battle between good people and evil people.” Teens will explore how tribal thinking, call-out culture, and enemy labeling are keeping them from developing empathy, leadership, and real relationships. I’ll show how true strength comes from understanding others, not dividing the world into heroes and villains. (The Coddling of the American Mind, Chapter 3)Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com
Saying “I can’t” sounds controlled. Saying “I won’t” sounds unstoppable. In this episode, I explore the life-changing difference between the two, teaching teens how to own their values with power and confidence, whether it’s about religious standards, digital discipline, or resisting peer pressure. This episode gives teens the tools to stop sounding limited and start standing tall.🧠 Secret for an Awesome Life: If you want to hold to your values, choose to say “I won’t” instead of “I can’t.” It will give you more power.--My gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to Hero, is available now! Go to www.sidekicktohero.com to start a two-week free trial.--Follow me on Instagram! www.instagram.com/sidekicktohero--Joey Mascio is a teen confidence coach and motivational speaker. He helps teens eliminate self-doubt, manage emotions, develop social skills, and achieve their goals. He was a middle school teacher and counselor for 7 years, a former Disneyland performer, and an experienced improv comedian. He uses his Masters in Education, Bachelors in Creative Writing, and two professional life coach certifications to teach powerful resilience tools and strategies to teens through humor and stories.
Feelings are real, but that doesn’t mean they’re always right. This week, we’re diving into the second Great Untruth: “Always trust your feelings.” Teens will learn how emotional reasoning traps them in false stories, and how to rewrite those stories using CBT tools. Through fun examples and practical techniques, they’ll learn to recognize when their brain is lying and how to lead their emotions instead of being led by them. (The Coddling of the American Mind, Chapter 2)Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com
This week, we’re diving into the first of the Three Great Untruths: “What doesn’t kill you makes you weaker.” Teens will learn why this belief is not only false—but actually harmful—and how believing they’re fragile holds them back from growing stronger. I’ll introduce the concept of being antifragile and challenge students to face discomfort head-on through a small “micro-challenge” that helps them build resilience, one rep at a time. (The Coddling of the American Mind, Chapter 1)Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com
This week kicks off our summer book series of The Coddling of the American Mind with a deep dive into the fake-but-funny story of the Oracle of Koalemos and his very real influence on modern thinking. Teens will learn how three popular beliefs—“What doesn’t kill you makes you weaker,” “Always trust your feelings,” and “Life is a battle between good people and evil people”—are shaping their mindset in sneaky, harmful ways. This summer, I’ll show them how to spot these untruths, challenge them, and replace them with thoughts that lead to resilience, confidence, and growth. Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com
We’ll wrap up the month by showing teens how simple, consistent habits now can turn into financial success later. From investing basics (like compound interest) to giving generously and living below your means, this week shows how to be intentional with money for life. And yes—we’ll talk about how anyone can become a millionaire… even a 12-year-old who gets started early.Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com
Why is debt so dangerous, and why do so many people fall into it? We’ll cover the myths teens hear about “good debt,” credit cards, and borrowing from friends or family. We’ll teach them how to avoid it, what interest really does, and how saying “no” to debt now opens way more doors in the future. Book covered: The Total Money Mindset by Dave RamseyLoved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com
I met a girl last week who had the absolute best way to look at her acne. She was the embodiment of owning your flaws. I share her story and one of my own from this past week when I was called Mr. Clean.--My gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to Hero, is available now! Go to www.sidekicktohero.com to start a two-week free trial.--Follow me on Instagram! www.instagram.com/sidekicktohero--Joey Mascio is a teen confidence coach and motivational speaker. He helps teens eliminate self-doubt, manage emotions, develop social skills, and achieve their goals. He was a middle school teacher and counselor for 7 years, a former Disneyland performer, and an experienced improv comedian. He uses his Masters in Education, Bachelors in Creative Writing, and two professional life coach certifications to teach powerful resilience tools and strategies to teens through humor and stories.
This week, it’s all about spending wisely. Teens will learn how advertising and peer pressure lead to impulse buys, and how to decide if something is really worth their money. We’ll introduce the “24-Hour Rule,” budgeting basics, and why stuff never brings happiness—but smart spending can bring freedom.--Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com
Emergency funds aren’t just for adults. Teens will learn how to build a savings habit even with small amounts of money—and why starting now gives them superpowers later. We’ll also look at goals-based saving, the power of delayed gratification, and how even babysitting or lawn money can start building financial security.Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com
People love to judge and the internet makes it easy. But just because the mob says something doesn’t mean it’s true. In this episode, Joey Mascio unpacks why we’re so quick to jump on the judgment train (whether online or in real life) and why compassion is your secret weapon against the angry crowd. With real-life examples and science-backed insights, teens will learn how to pause, question the story they're being fed, and become the kind of person people trust and respect.🎧 Secret for an Awesome Life: Don’t believe the mob. Lead with compassion.--My gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to Hero, is available now! Go to www.sidekicktohero.com to start a two-week free trial.--Follow me on Instagram! www.instagram.com/sidekicktohero--Joey Mascio is a teen confidence coach and motivational speaker. He helps teens eliminate self-doubt, manage emotions, develop social skills, and achieve their goals. He was a middle school teacher and counselor for 7 years, a former Disneyland performer, and an experienced improv comedian. He uses his Masters in Education, Bachelors in Creative Writing, and two professional life coach certifications to teach powerful resilience tools and strategies to teens through humor and stories.
We’ll talk about how most people grow up learning bad money habits—like impulse spending, borrowing for stuff they don’t need, and assuming debt is “normal.” We’ll identify those broke-thinker traps and start replacing them with smart, future-focused mindsets. Teens will learn what it really means to live like no one else so you can live like no one else later.Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com
When life gets hard—like, failed-a-quiz-fell-into-a-locker hard—it can feel like you’re stuck there forever. But that feeling of being stuck is just your brain playing tricks on you. In this episode, Joey Mascio breaks down the concept of permanency—that sneaky belief that things will always be the way they are right now—and why it’s not the truth.Joey helps teens recognize that emotions and situations are temporary—even when they feel massive. Backed by brain science and relatable stories, this episode will help teens get perspective, push through hard moments, and remember:🧠 Secret for an Awesome Life: Nothing lasts forever—not the bad stuff, not the good stuff. And that’s what makes life worth showing up for.Hit play and find out why your worst days are never your final chapter.--My gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to Hero, is available now! Go to www.sidekicktohero.com to start a two-week free trial.--Follow me on Instagram! www.instagram.com/sidekicktohero--Joey Mascio is a teen confidence coach and motivational speaker. He helps teens eliminate self-doubt, manage emotions, develop social skills, and achieve their goals. He was a middle school teacher and counselor for 7 years, a former Disneyland performer, and an experienced improv comedian. He uses his Masters in Education, Bachelors in Creative Writing, and two professional life coach certifications to teach powerful resilience tools and strategies to teens through humor and stories.
Heroes feel fear, anger, sadness, and doubt just like everyone else—the difference is, they don’t let their emotions run wild. This week, we’ll talk about how to handle intense emotions without letting them control you and how to fully experience positive emotions without becoming reckless, distracted, or complacent. Because when you hold the reins, you decide where your story goes next.Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com
Have you ever wondered why people treat you the way they do? In this episode, Joey Mascio dives into how the data you give off—your attitude, your words, your eye rolls (yeah, we see those)—shapes how others respond to you. Whether it’s teachers, parents, or friends, if you’re not getting the reaction you want, it might be time to look at what you’re putting out there.This episode helps teens realize they have more power in relationships than they think. Joey even shares a real-life coaching story with a teen who turned things around with his teachers simply by changing the vibe he was sending.🎯 Secret for an Awesome Life: If you’re not getting the response you want, change the data you’re giving.Hit play and get ready to level up your relationships—one awkward facial expression at a time.--My gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to Hero, is available now! Go to www.sidekicktohero.com to start a two-week free trial.--Follow me on Instagram! www.instagram.com/sidekicktohero--Joey Mascio is a teen confidence coach and motivational speaker. He helps teens eliminate self-doubt, manage emotions, develop social skills, and achieve their goals. He was a middle school teacher and counselor for 7 years, a former Disneyland performer, and an experienced improv comedian. He uses his Masters in Education, Bachelors in Creative Writing, and two professional life coach certifications to teach powerful resilience tools and strategies to teens through humor and stories.
In this episode of Secrets for an Awesome Life, we explore the rejuvenating power of the great outdoors. As spring unfolds, it’s the perfect opportunity to swap screen time for green time. Discover how stepping outside can enhance your sleep, boost your mood, and improve overall health.--My gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to Hero, is available now! Go to www.sidekicktohero.com to start a two-week free trial.--Follow me on Instagram! www.instagram.com/sidekicktohero--Joey Mascio is a teen confidence coach and motivational speaker. He helps teens eliminate self-doubt, manage emotions, develop social skills, and achieve their goals. He was a middle school teacher and counselor for 7 years, a former Disneyland performer, and an experienced improv comedian. He uses his Masters in Education, Bachelors in Creative Writing, and two professional life coach certifications to teach powerful resilience tools and strategies to teens through humor and stories.
Every hero has a defining moment where they realize they aren’t just a character in their story—they’re the author. This week, we’ll talk about the power of reframing, CBT skills, and hero thoughts—so you can take control of your confidence, self-worth, and the world you live in. Because no matter what’s happened in the past, you get to create the future.--Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero Or watch it in the Sidekick to Hero app for tweens and teens! It's a gamified confidence & productivity platform that helps young teens develop the habits of heroes and high-achievers. Start for free at www.sidekicktohero.com
Peja Vrajich
thank you joey
Peja Vrajich
i love this podcast